you can have my isolation | maria

[rhys alexander greyback]

 

the only thing that works for me
help me get away from myself

---

May 18, 2025
Horizon Alley – Violent Hound Pub
@maria

---

One year. One full year since It’d happened. Death was not something that was new in the young werewolves’ life, he’d seen enough horror and death before he was even five years old. How does one have a void where something barely existed? A brother, well a half-brother at any rate but still. Blood. Rhys had woken up early, again he couldn’t sleep but this was normal. The week directly following the full moon was always an adjustment and recovery period though with the potion he at least avoided breaking any bones this time. There had been post that had arrived in the morning, he’d given the owl a treat before it went on its way and saw the letters from his sisters, but he hadn’t opened them. His younger half-siblings had known Elias more than he had but he was allowed the opportunity to visit the school during the Tournament last year and had properly met him. Another brother, who would have thought. Although he despised the less than honorable ways that Fenrir Greyback possibly sired his children. Rhys took a breath, when the explosion happened, and he’d heard about it he’d just felt this feeling he didn’t have often. The grief was still there since he didn’t quite know how to process that, with how his life had gone thus far he’d always had his guard up and protected himself and not much got through but this certainly did. Rhys briskly walked down the path to Queen’s where Nell worked, her shop was still relatively new, but he’d been traveling and hadn’t had a chance to stop by. However, when he arrived the door was locked, and it didn’t appear to be open that day. He sighed rather heavily, in his brain he’d already felt comforted at seeing a familiar and lovely face but that wasn’t meant to be.
 
Looking around he quickly changed direction and walked into the pub nearby, the Violent Hound Pub. Rhys had never actually been inside here but if he was going to wallow, he better well get on with it. Skimming the listing of alcoholic beverages, he decided to stick with old reliable—firewhiskey. The pub was relatively crowded and he couldn’t quite tell who was there out of grief or for other painful reasons, but he took a seat at a small table off to the side and quickly drained the contents of his glass. He thought about the letters he left unopened, his sisters had known how he felt about them—his family and the day he might be having but he didn’t want to deal with their sentiments. Right now he wanted it to go away, to numb it all, not just his grief and pain but just everything.The waitress passed by and very quickly refilled his glass which seemed to disappear before she made her way back to the bar. If she was judging him, he either didn’t notice nor did he care, he was used to the stairs and the glances and after a while had grown rather numb to it all. Rhys remained lost in his thoughts, his steely blue eyes staring off at nothing in particular and he ignored and responded with a quick ”yes” to the one or two girls that had asked if the seat next to him was taken. Rhys wasn’t interested, not today, not in them. A few more whiskies had gone down, and he’d finally felt that warm feeling inside the preceded the numbness and escape he was looking for. As Rhys looked around for the waitress again he almost didn’t catch when another voice spoke to him. 

[Deleted]

May 18, 2025
rhys alexander greyback

Maria wanted to drown out today. To get so completely wasted that she would forget it, and when she finally regained her composure it was long past. Today was a dark stain in her life. It was the day of the explosion. A day of eternal torment, pain, and death. Maria had started drinking early, intentionally trying to black out, but unfortunately she'd run out of alcohol at her apartment long before she'd achieved that goal.

She lay in bed, arm over her eyes and gritting her teeth. Why couldn't this day just end? Then, her phone pinged. A text message. She wanted to ignore it. Who the fuck wanted to talk to her today? She'd set them on fire. She moved her arm, blinding grabbing her phone and bringing it to her face. That practically murderous look she'd had a moment ago softened. It was form her aunt, Elias' mother. It was short, and simple.

I miss him too.

Of course, Maria's aunt knew Maria was suffering. One year. One year without her best friend.

UGH. Maria practically threw herself off her bed and got dressed. She needed more alcohol. Lots more.

Within an hour she was stepping into the Violet Hound Pub. It wasn't her usual drinking spot, but that was fine. She just needed a place to get wasted. She approached the bar and ordered a few shots of the strongest alcohol they had. She downed them there at the bar, not caring about the glances she was getting. She was used to people staring at her. She didn't want their attention right now though. She just wanted to stop feeling. The handful of shots down, finally took a breath and ran her hand through her hair. Glancing around the pub it seemed most people were enjoying the evening. She wanted to set them on fire. How dare they have a good time today?

That was when Maria spotted someone that looked almost as miserable as she felt. And at the pace he was drinking he was out for the same thing she was. That numb, forget everything else feeling. "Bring a few rounds of shots to that table," she ordered the waitress, then crossed to the loner. She didn't ask if the seat was taken. No one wanted company when drinking like that. She set a pair of shots down on the table, and took the empty seat. "That'll work faster," she commented, meaning the shot, before taking her own and downing it. She didn't care who this man was. She just wanted to feel that burning of alcohol on her tongue and the numbness void to take away her pain.

[rhys alexander greyback]

 

the only thing that works for me
help me get away from myself

---

May 18, 2025
Horizon Alley – Violent Hound Pub
@maria

---

A woman sat down at the empty seat near him at this small table and gift him a shot of some unknown liquid. She quickly drank hers and motioned for him to do the same. That'll work faster. Rhys had tried many an alcoholic substances in his day, in the name of research of course but for the most part he didn't go to far from firewhiskey. His blue eyes focused on the woman, she hadn't even asked if she could sit down just claiming the space near him with an air of confidence he rarely saw. The other women he had barely glanced at and he didn't even know if they were still in the pub, she was here and even in his sour mood he could admire this beautiful woman who'd just bought him a drink. Rhys grabbed the small glass, "Cheers." he said to the woman and threw the liquid back into his mouth, the burn was definitely different than firewhiskey but not at all unappealing. As a Curse Breaker he should probably know better than to accept an unknown substance of unknown origin from an unknown person, but today he didn't particularly care. Rhys put the glass down and looked at her again.

There was something in her expression, she wasn't like the other patrons here laughing, socializing and having a good time. Is that why she wandered to him? He'd hardly looked like a happy fellow since he'd sat down however long ago that was. Normally, he'd ask more questions as was in his nature but maybe if he'd been sober in the first place. "Didn't want to drink alone?" It wouldn't have been the first time Rhys had gotten trashed by himself, but if he could have some company especially company he didn't look at then that is what he would do tonight. Still, he wished one of his friends had been available. I suppose this is what the adult world was just like outside of Hogwarts, though he'd never admit how alone he felt.

"Me neither." He added, "I'm Rhys, by the way. How about I get us another round?" Rhys got up and went to the bar and ordered 2 more shots, bringing them back to the table. "I take it you're not in the celebrating mood either?" Rhys put the shots down and took off his jacket and placed it on back of the chair before sitting down again. Misery loves company, as they say not that he could find it in himself to tell her to leave either. There was something....alluring about her. 

[Deleted]

May 18, 2025
rhys alexander greyback

Maria didn't really want company (at least in her usual definition of the word) tonight. But she didn't want to be alone either. She was a selfish creature. Didn't want people too close, but also didn't want them gone. Mostly though, she didn't want to be left with the nightmare of memories of what today. It wasn't even just the fact that Elias had died today, though that was a huge factor. Maria had been on that ship too. She'd survived the explosion, as much as she sometimes wish she hadn't. Maria glanced down at the bracelet on her wrist. To anyone else it would look like just a pretty trinket. Maria's heart knotted at the reminder of what the bracelet meant. Though, she hadn't been able to bring herself to get rid of it. Swallowing hard she looked away from her wrist and rested her elbow on the table, chin in her hand.

"Maybe you just looked like the best company in this place," she answered, though not really "answered". He'd asked her about drinking alone and she just didn't want to admit the truth. Though, after a moment he admitted he didn't want to drink alone either, and Maria's eyes fluttered in his direction. He was attracted. Very attractive. Rhys, as he introduced himself. She didn't answer as he offered to buy the next round, just smiled a touch to acknowledge his words. He was gone only a moment, before returning with two new shots. "Let's just say today's not a day much worth celebrating, or remembering," she answered slowly, shifting in the chair a little to cross her right leg over her left and face this stranger a little more. "Maria."

[rhys alexander greyback]

 

the only thing that works for me
help me get away from myself

---

May 18, 2025
Horizon Alley – Violent Hound Pub
@maria

---

"Well, i'll consider that a compliment coming from the most beautiful woman here." Rhys still had a glass with firewhiskey he had been nursing slowly since the shots appeared. Alcohol always helped, unfortunately. It wasn't a habit his friends and siblings condoned of him but sometimes it just worked better than any Draught of Peace even Jamie could have brewed for him. By this point his nerves had calmed a bit and would probably only continue to do so as the alcohol acted on his inhibitions. It probably didn't help that with his earlier foul mood he hadn't bothered to eat anything aside from just isolating himself for most of the day. Still, he was a tad impressed with himself. Normally there was some effort put into befriending a girl at a pub and today one had just come to him. He picked up the small glass he'd left unattended previously, "Well, I don't know about you but my plan was to drink until I forgot today." Rhys raised the glass a bit higher as if to toast. "To forgetting miserable days, then?" Rhys drained the contents of his glass, setting it down and glancing around for a waitress to possibly bring them more.

The pub was lively, but then again it was a Sunday evening after all and he, for one, did not have to report to work tomorrow. The thing with Curse Breaking is it was not a traditional 9-5, sometimes he worked a lot and sometimes he did not but the pay was good. It affording him a nice flat nearby so he wasn't too far away from civilization. He wondered what brought her to this pub, this day and this table. What was she drinking to forget? Considering they had just met it might have been rude for him to ask at this point. Rhys glanced around again, it was rather loud in here and the more drunk he got the more he could feel the noise around him, really had he not been alone he would have left and gone into his personal stash of alcohol from around the world. "Do you think they have Bourbon here?" Bourbon was something he had tried while in the United States a few years prior and was certainly different than anything he'd drank in Europe. Still, it wasn't common here but sure would have hit the spot.
 

[Deleted]

May 18, 2025
rhys alexander greyback

God, even when angry at the world and trying to basically drown in alcohol she loved being called beautiful. Apparently her vanity could even outweigh her depression. She didn't respond though, just smirked and brushed her hair off her shoulders. As he went to pick up one of the new shot glasses she followed suit, leaning into the table as she glanced down at the liquid courage in her hand. "Then it seems I've chosen the right drinking partner." There wouldn't be any judging from he, as she had the same goal in mind. At least that meant neither of them had to worry about stopping the other. Who cared about drinking in moderation?

Maria raised her own shot glass. "To forgetting miserable days." she repeated, before downing her shot. There was that familiar and much wanted burning. First her tongue, then her throat. Ugh, if only it would last. Unfortunately, it was over in a few moments, and Maria sighed as she set the shot glass on the table. Thankfully, while the burning didn't last long, she could feel all the shots she'd taken before joining him start to take effect. The warmth in her head and body, the much wanted numbing, the tingling in her fingers. She closed her eyes, her fingers trailing the edge of the now empty shot glass.

When he spoke, asking about bourbon, Maria opened her eyes once more, and focused those dark eyes of hers on his own, much fairer eyes. Bourbon, huh? She didn't respond, instead rising to her feet and moving to the bar. She whispered to the bartender, flashing him her most charming smile she could muster and quite intentionally turning on the veela charm. It'd be hard to tell her no... Whatever she'd been after, it must have worked, before a few moments later she'd returned to the table, a bottle of Maker's Mark 46 in hand. "Might not be the brand you imagined but better than nothing." She uncorked the bottle, and refilled both shot glasses. She didn't bother recorking it as she set it on the table and picked her shot glass back up.

[rhys alexander greyback]

 

the only thing that works for me
help me get away from myself

---

May 18, 2025
Horizon Alley – Violent Hound Pub
@maria

---

Rhys began to feel the familiar warm sensation throughout his body, the feeling of almost serenity, the feeling he always wished would last and without the hangover. But for now, he felt okay--not great but okay. What more could a man want? Hard liquor flowing freely and a beautiful woman accompanying him not sipping on some fruity drink that had an umbrella in it. Maria locked eyes with his own, they were a beautiful brown though the lighting in the pub wouldn't do them any justice. Then again, in her current ensemble he was sure she wasn't trying to get anyone to look at her eyes particularly. No sooner had he finished his thought on Bourbon had she gotten up and casually strolled to the bar and suddenly she came back with not a glass or shots as he'd expected but with an entire bottle. Rhys watched as she filled their momentarily deserted shot glasses and set the bottle down. "I'm impressed, where have you been all my life?" Rhys said with a side smile, he can't imagine what a bottle like this costs if you added up how many shots could have been poured from it. He picked up his shot glass and drank the amber liquid. The burn, the flavor, the smell was all different. Bourbon had been a happy find in the states.

After setting his shot glass down and out of habit he picked up the bottle to inspect the brand, it wasn't a brand he'd tried previously but he wasn't here as some whiskey connoisseur, just a man escaping his demons. Rhys refilled his shot glass and sat the bottle down. Even more impressive was this woman, this beautiful woman who liked her hard liquor. "So, you drink whiskey often? I can't recall too many woman around here can even stomach it." Rhys wasn't attempting to be rude in anyway, in fact he was complimenting her. Rhys threw back another shot, might as well enjoy the bottle while they had it or before the bartender came to his senses. As Rhys refilled his own shot glass he held out the bottle to refill Maria's if she wanted to as well.

"I've traveled quite a bit for work, I have whiskey from all kinds of different places if you ever want to try one." Rhys commented meeting her gaze. His favorite had been American whiskey for quite some time and Japanese whiskey was also interesting. Rhys placed the bottle back down, taking yet another shot. Hopefully it didn't appear to be too obvious how much he desperately wanted that peace that came with being full drunk. As it stood, he could feel those extra shots beginning to kick in, his ears felt a little warm but then again so did just sitting there.

 

[Deleted]

May 18, 2025
rhys alexander greyback

Maria was good at getting what she wanted, when she wanted it. While most bars and pubs wouldn't give you the bottle, she had a certain charm that would sway the hesitant soul. That, and she made good money. Buying the bottle on a night like tonight was a worthwhile investment. The Violet Hound Pub knew she was always good for her tab, so giving her the whole bottle was an investment they knew would be rewarded. Plus she really didn't want to have to keep going back and forth to get more alcohol. "Good things always come to those who wait," she teased. Both in liquor and women, it would seem.

Maria didn't drink bourbon often, considering it wasn't as common in the country. But as she downed the shot, she liked it. The burn was longer than her usual poison of choice, but it was almost warm burning. The flavors different and intense, but more pleasant. bourbon definitely went down smoother then vodka. Maria set the glass back down on the table and ran her hand through her hair, watching her drinking companion down another shot quickly. "I'm not much of a "sweet" type of girl," No, Maria preferred the dark and gritty side of life. That seemed to affect even her taste buds. Plus, Maria herself wasn't that sweet. "I like the burn." Plus, those fruit drinks most women drank took forever to get you drunk. Maria wasn't interested in dragging this night out. He moved to fill the shot glasses again, and she raised hers just a touch so he could fill hers.

There gaze met once more as Rhys mentioned trying the whisky's he'd gathered. Well... She hadn't exactly planned on sticking around with this guy but... Who was she to say no to more alcohol? "Careful. An offer like that makes it sounds like you're enjoying my company," she teased, smirking. She raised her shot glass and drained it. She could feel the alcohol warming her entire chest, the corner of her vision ever so slightly blurred. Maria knew she could hold her liquor well, but no one could down as many shots as she had and not feel anything. The numbing was getting stronger, and the sweet relief of slowly starting to forget her earlier thoughts. This was what she'd been wanting all day. To just live in the moment and forget about how awful today was...

[rhys alexander greyback]

 

the only thing that works for me
help me get away from myself

---

May 18, 2025
Horizon Alley – Violent Hound Pub
@maria

---

There was something more attractive about a woman who could hold her liquor, not that he judged anyone that didn't drink hard liquor--it was all a choice of course. Even as the intoxication crept over him subtly it became more difficult to control his thought process. Elias was faintly there but so were a lot of other things. As much as he depended on his own intemperance to sleep or calm his nerves this was the downside. Had he stayed alone he would have been drunk but more or less stuck in his head full of thoughts. The way he distracted himself from whatever current demon was looming was to let the other thoughts take over for a while. However, he wasn't alone and any drinking partner would have been a distract but one that was nice to look at was certainly welcome. Rhys took another shot, the bottle Maria had brought over wasn't a large bottle but it wasn't small either and at this rate they weren't going to have anything left to drink soon. Rhys poured himself another shot, he was definitely starting to feel it. Rhys knew it was, he felt it in his brain just as he expected and just as he wanted. The bottle seemed to be about half empty now.

Rhys paused and gave an easy smiled at her response. "Well I just figured it's the least I can do after all the drinks you've gotten me." Rhys waved his hand slightly at the empty glasses, shot glasses and the bottle in front of them. Enjoying his inebriation and how he felt he drank another shot so as to not let it wane. Rhys looked at Maria again, that's all this was right? A distraction? If he gauged correctly she was looking for one as well and if not, then he wouldn't push it and just enjoy what little was left of the Bourbon. "I suspect even your friend there at the bar would disapprove of us cleaning them out of all they have tonight." Rhys looked around again at the crowd, the noise didn't bother him as much anymore but it was still too crowded for his liking. He picked up his shot glass again prepared to take another shot, looking at Maria again as he waited for her response.


 

[Deleted]

May 18, 2025
rhys alexander greyback

Maria took the bottle and refilled her shot glass. She really didn't care how much they'd already drank, or about the nasty hangover that she'd have tomorrow. To hell with the consequences. "Who am I to refuse such an offer?" She wouldn't deny more distractions, and his company was pleasant enough. He'd been keeping her from wallowing in her own self pity, after all. Plus, she really only knew his name. Those were always the best distractions. Ones where you knew little to nothing about the other. No commitment, or any real "attachment". Just a use and be used situation. And both of them were definitely doing that. Both needed a distraction, as their drinking had made evident. Maria finally down the shot she'd filled before speaking. It didn't burn as much, her body so warm she hardly noticed now.

Maria's gaze trailed to the bar, the bartender filling a few pints for other patrons of the pub. No doubt he'd regret it in the morning, once the Veela charm wore off. But she knew she still had some room to push him, if she wanted. She knew how to get what she wanted. Almost lazily, her gaze moved back to Rhys and she smiled. "I'm sure they could afford losing a few more bottles, but I don't think they'd have quite as interesting as exotic whiskeys." She filled her shot glass once more, raised it to his own, and leaned into the table. "Here's my proposition. We finish this bottle off, drowning whatever sorrows and regrets either of us have, then make sure at least one good thing happens on such a godforsaken day. What do you say?" She didn't take her shot yet, just kept it raised. Her gaze intensely fixed on his own. If they needed a distraction today then she'd make damn sure they were distracted.

[rhys alexander greyback]

 

the only thing that works for me
help me get away from myself

---

May 18, 2025
Horizon Alley – Violent Hound Pub
@maria

---

Maria leaned closer to him, bridging the small gap over the table as she voiced her idea and as she spoke he glanced at the bottle attempting to visually discern how much liquid was still in the bottle. Although he felt the effects of all his alcohol consumption he could still at least see clearly, they didn't have a lot to go. She asked him what he thought, holding her shot glass as if in awaiting his response. He nodded his head and raised his glass a little further. "I'll drink to that." And he drank down the contents of his glass, setting it down on the table as he raised the bottle to refill their glasses. At this rate there weren't that far from finishing the bottle and if he was alone he might have just drunk straight from the bottle. But, then again he did have some manners after all. "I'm not too far from here actually, we can walk and hope we don't sober up on the way there." And even if they did he had plenty back at his flat for he and his co-pilot to continue their downward spiral. Another shot, another light clank of the glass hitting the table and another refill as the bottle felt incredibly light compared to when they had first started.

It was a strange turn of events, just as anything was these days. There always seemed to be some order to all the chaos in hindsight, although he would have preferred his brother still be living even if it meant never having shared this night with this gorgeous woman. Tomorrow was something he could worry about later for once and by then she might be gone as well, although one wouldn't mind seeing someone pretty like her again. Rhys picked up the bottle yet again, holding it higher so he could see through the clear glass that was visible now that the contents were nearly gone. There was only a bit left. "Looks like there's enough for one, care to do the honors?" As he held the bottle toward her to pour the remainder into her glass and successfully emptying the bottle. "I have to admit." He added, "This wasn't what I expected tonight. But I can't say I mind." Rhys glanced back at the table, he still had a bit of whiskey left from earlier though the ice had melted some, he drank the rest of that glass as well and now they could say they were done here.

Rhys felt warm, all that drink had finally begin to give him the intended effect and now what was on his mind was more whiskey and her. Was it dumb luck that on a most miserable and depressing day that she sat at his table? Rhys stood, careful not to move too quickly yet as he they'd been sitting for quite some time while all that whiskey settled in. "Ready?" He asked looking down at the brown-eyed beauty, holding out a hand in case she stood up too fast as he had done and his arm was available if she needed something sturdy to hold on to while they walked.

 

[Deleted]

May 18, 2025
rhys alexander greyback

Maria's lips twitched, then turned into a wide grin, as he accepted her offer. Sure, meeting a charming stranger and going home with them and not been her plan for tonight. Hell, it'd been one of the furthest thoughts from her mind. But, it was a good turn of events. What was a better distraction from her own sorrows than the arms of a man? She downed her shot in unison with him, as if to solidify the plan. "If we do, we can always break into your whiskey stash." Maria's place, unfortunately, was in the muggle portion of London and further out. Walking there wasn't really an option. Though, with the amount she'd had... She could feel the intoxication's grip on her tightening. She wasn't going to be sobering up any time soon.

They'd made pretty quick work of the bottle, and soon Rhys was holding it eye level, checking the contents and offering her the final shot. "With pleasure." She raised her shot glass, letting him more the remaining liquor into the glass. She didn't take the shot immediately, as he'd spoken, admitting he hadn't expected tonight to go this way. Maria raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. "You never know what life will send your way. Best to just enjoy it while it lasts." All good things came to an end. So why not just enjoy the moment? Enjoy the terrible day that had somehow turned into something memorable at the end. She raised the shot glass to her lips, tilting her head back as she took that final shot.

Maria, quite drunk, motioned to the waitress to come over. "Send me the bill tomorrow," she said, and the waitress nodded. She was always good on her tab, after all. She wasn't going to try to fumble with money right now. Rhys got up first, offering her his hand and asking if she was ready. Her smile softened, and she reached out to take his hand, slowly getting to her feet. Her head swam, momentarily, the alcohol taking a strong hold, but she stayed on her feet. At least she wasn't the fall over drunk type. "Lead the way." Though, just to be sure, she made sure to loop her arm through his.

[rhys alexander greyback]

 

the only thing that works for me
help me get away from myself

---

May 18, 2025
Horizon Alley – Violent Hound Pub
@maria

---

Standing for a few moments felt like it was enough to to feel stable enough to walk, as if the concentration of alcohol in his body had equalized in some way. He thought about her words, you never know and that was certainly true. If he was sober enough he would have taken those words and picked apart how they applied to his turbulent life. It seemed that the amount of chaos experienced had only settled while he was in school, where he was safe. Now the world was becoming a chaotic place again just as it had those years before his birth. Well, that's at least from what was taught and the stories he'd heard. As Maria moved closer to him he could swear he felt almost drunker, there was something about her that just intoxicated him even without half a bottle of Bourbon but he kept his balance and was sturdy. Her arm now around his he grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair to carry in his other arm and they exited the Pub. It was dark outside, which was expected but while it had felt almost boiling hot in the Pub the cool air struck his face but it felt soothing in a way. Fortunately, in the spring time the night was not plagued by freezing temperatures.

He walked ahead, now that he really thought about he was more or less just around the corner, closer to Diagon Alley but close enough so at least it wouldn't take their drunken selves too long to get there. "Are you cold?" He asked Maria holding out his jacket, who was certainly revealing more skin that he was. As they both seemed to be depending on one another to keep their balance it took a few more minutes than normal to reach his flat and he thanked Merlin for having some foresight in being on the ground floor. "We're here." He muttered, slowly letting go of Maria's arm and immediately regretting the lack of warmth that came after but he left her a few steps away from the door so that he could let them inside. Also, as he pulled out his wand he muttered a few incantations that would let them through the wards. No self-respecting Curse Breaker worth is salt would leave their place of residence unwarded in anyway. Once he was done he turned the doorknob and pushed the door open, waving his wand to have some light in the living room. "Here we are." He extended his hand again in case she felt unstable from all that drinking and led them inside, closing the door behind him.

"Make yourself comfortable." He smiled at her as he walked into another room and reemerged with two whiskey glasses and a bottle with "Yamazaki" on the side. He went into the living room where there was a small coffee table and placed the glasses there. This bottle he'd never bothered to look up the price for but all he knew was that it had been a gift when he was far East for work and just simply added it to his collection. Today seemed like a special occasion enough, a toast to a life well lived but cut short. His flat wasn't the largest, but it was modest and comfortable. Considering how much time he spent away it didn't seem practical to have a large flat even if could afford it. Rhys unscrewed the top of the bottle and poured a small amount in each glass, just to start although really his mind wasn't on the whiskey anymore. Placing the bottle back on the table he retrieved both glasses and walked toward Maria, he was standing close to her could feel her warmth again. "Cheers." He said lifting his glass, a silent toast.

 

[Deleted]

May 18, 2025
rhys alexander greyback

With them both standing and headed out the door, Maria couldn't help but let her gaze wander back to him, peering up through her eyelashes at the mysterious man she was going home with. He only had a few inches on her so it was nice not having to strain her neck to look up at him. Most people would want know more about a person before going home with them, but Maria liked the danger. It'd probably come back to bite her someday, but until then, to hell with the consequences.

The cool night air was a welcome relief from the hot and stuff pub, Maria taking a deep breath as the pub door swung closed behind them. She smiled, the only warmth coming from the man she was currently hanging onto. The walk was mostly quiet, Rhys offering her his jacket at some point. Well, she was never one to say no! "Very." Lies, but why not play it up a bit? She took the offered jacket with her free hand, maneuvering the jacket until it was over her shoulders.

Rhys had been right about living close. While they hadn't been walking quickly (more concerned about maintaining their balance and footing), it was only a few minutes until he announced "We're here.". Maria let go of his arm so he could go about unlocking the door, here gaze wandering to take in the building. Decent enough place, seemed like your standard London flat. He offered his hand once more after getting the door unlocked. While feeling quite sturdy (she was used to moving when drunk), she took the offered hand, stepping into the apartment without any hesitation. "Nice place," she said as he closed the door. She shrugged his jacket off her shoulders, folding it in her arms and setting it down on her first available surface she found. He's wandered off, and Maria started to explore the living room. Maybe if she was sober she would have given the pictures closer examination, and realized that she recognized some of the people in them. But no, her head was a nice buzzing bliss of spinning and warmth. She didn't look as she heard him moving around, or the clink of glasses, until she felt his presence approach. Only then did she turn to face him, reaching out to pluck one of the glasses from his hands and raising it in unison with him.She didn't look to see what he'd given her, her dark gaze focused on his own, lips slightly parted into a smile. He was close, but not close enough for her taste. So, she stepped just ever so closer. "I should warn you. I'm not very gentle," she said slyly. She usually didn't "warn" people, but she'd been very tame tonight. Her mood had killed most her... intensity. But if he wanted to go down this route, the spark would be ignited and she wouldn't be able to stop.

[rhys alexander greyback]

help me you make me perfect
help me become somebody else

---

May 18, 2025
Horizon Alley – Violent Hound Pub
@maria

---

Rhys drank the small amount of liquid in his glass and set it aside on the nearest surface. Maria stepped closer to him, he'd call it an invasion of his personal space if it wasn't so wanted. I should warn you. She said, their eyes hadn't left one another's since he'd walked up with the glass of alcohol promised. The lure they had both taken, that they both clearly wanted. The distraction he was seeking from himself and his own mind. I'm not very gentle. Rhys smirked, that alone with her allure had his blood racing. There was the sudden urge to just grab her but in his current inebriated state he wasn't sure how that would go or what would break in the process. He thanked whatever higher power was at work that cross their paths tonight, two broken souls looking for a way to fit the broken pieces together even if its with pieces that are not their own.

"Good, I didn't want you to be." Rhys admitted as he moved in closer, bridging the short distance between them. If this tension was spun up any higher he wouldn't be able to take it. There was a need, the alcohol had done its job of repressing those dark thoughts but the void was never filled. A distract, that's what she was and at this point he would do whatever she wanted. She was a tall woman though not eye to eye with him, as he moved closer still he reached for the glass in her hand to place it on the same surface his own glass had been discarded previously. Rhys placed a hand on her waist as he brought her to him and he leaned down to kiss her. Though kiss was an understatement, she had spent all this time making his blood boil. She hadn't made any promises concerning his well-being but with his collection of scars, the years of being a wolf--an animal he didn't mind one more.