Work Text:
Of all the things to do for several decades on a planet that wouldn’t last long or at all after they left a bar was probably one of the best ideas that Ivy, Raphaella and Marius had come up with. Bartenders tended to get heaps of information and Raphaella could experiment with drinks and with difficult patrons. Marius could perform whenever he pleased. There was no better plan they could have made.
One night while Marius was on the bar with Raphaella on a busy night. Ivy was at the smaller bar serving customers, though she spoke to more people than she did serve them. That was alright, she was having fun.
Ivy smiled as she spotted her next well of information, a person who wore what looked to be an inspector’s uniform, their eyes tired and a frown on their face. Hm. That one.
Ivy waved them over, away from Raphaella and Marius’ crowded bar and over to faer much smaller and basically empty bar. It was a known fact to their regulars that unless waved over there was no approaching the smaller bar that Ivy usually manned.
“Hello, come, take a seat. What can I get you?”
The person gave their order, just something simple, not anything that would get most people drunk at least not on the first drink. Ivy handed it to them, a smile on faer face as she did so. Hopefully they’d be interesting, she’d hate to waste faer time.
“Rough day?”
The customer scoffed.
“Rough is an understatement.”
“Oh?”
“Coworkers enjoy messing with the newbie.”
“The newbie being you I assume?”
“Correct.”
She’d heard of it often on several planets, seen it done before as well. New additions messed with, sometimes to see if they were cut out for it, sometimes just because they were new and that was what was done. The story told would either be one she’d heard dozens of times or an interesting twist. Either way it would be information gained about the workplace, about whatever workforce the customer was in.
The customer looked over at the crowded bar then back over at Ivy, at the empty stools, at the fact that there was no one else at the bar, the man who had been there having left with a tip on the bar and a smile at Ivy around the time this customer had sat down.
“Why is no one else over here?”
“Hm? Oh, I don’t enjoy being swamped. Not the best feeling. This smaller bar is invite only. I tend to be the one behind it, though sometimes one of the others will switch out with me, wanting it for their own reasons.”
“Must be nice, not being swamped.”
“Oh yes, it’s nice being able to hear my customers without several voices speaking over one another. Some days I’ll take the larger bar, but today felt like a small bar day.”
The customer nodded, a small smile, almost understanding on their face as they sipped at their drink before they spoke.
“So why me?”
“Hm?”
“Why wave me over?”
“You seemed interesting.”
“Interesting?”
“Yes. I enjoy listening to the stories people have to tell. I much prefer interesting people, and you seem interesting.”
“From first glance?”
“Sometimes that’s all you need. So, any interesting stories?”
“Maybe.”
“Any you care to share?”
The customer thought for a moment before they nodded, setting an almost empty glass on the bar in front of them.
“One of my coworkers decided that it would be a good idea to have me interrogate some prisoner who they send all the rookies to. Apparently most of the time she just stares at them until they leave, or speaks in a language no one can understand.”
Interrogate. So Ivy was correct, this was a cop. Interesting.
“I get in there, sit down and introduce myself, then instead of asking her the same questions I’m sure she had been asked a hundred times I started doing paperwork. She wasn’t gonna talk, I wasn’t going to let my coworkers think they won and I’d get some work done in the process.”
Ivy set down a new drink in front of the customer who smiled and nodded at her, taking a sip before they continued their story.
“After some time in silence the prisoner spoke, asked me why I wasn’t interrogating her. I told her why, that she wasn’t going to answer the questions and I wasn’t going to let my coworkers win and waste my time, so I brought paperwork to do. She seemed impressed and we’ve made a deal, when I’ve had too much of my coworkers I go sit with her and do paperwork and she’ll answer one work question I have.”
Now that sure was interesting. It reminded Ivy a bit of Nastya in a way, though she knew it couldn’t be her. Nastya had gone Out, she was likely dead.
“How did your coworkers react?”
“They’re determined to find a way to drive me insane, break me in, whatever words they used thinking I couldn’t hear them from two feet away. When they annoy me I go to the prisoner, get some work done, get one long unanswered question answered and then go back.”
“Sounds like you’re going to drive your coworkers insane as they try to do the same to you.”
The customer huffed, a smile tugging at their lips.
“I run on caffeine and spite. I don’t think they’ll lose.”
“I wish you luck.”
“Thanks.”
The customer stayed at the bar, nursing their drink as Ivy slowly waved over new people, refilling their drink once more as they sat there, content to watch and to listen. Ivy found herself hoping they’d return, they were a mystery fae was determined to solve. An interesting mystery.
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Lyfrassir nursed their drink as the bartender did her job, getting stories from other customers that Lyf listened to as they watched the bartender work. They hadn’t known what to expect when they entered the bar, they just wanted to get a drink after a rough few weeks at work. They hadn’t ever been the kind to go to the bar by themself, or at all really, but the one friend they had made at work had recommended the place, said that after the time Lyfrassir had had that week they deserved a treat.
They couldn’t help but find themself thinking about returning the next week, if only to update the bartender in their coworkers' attempts to drive them insane. The bar seemed nice, not anything like the ones they’d been pulled to a few times by friends they had but were never really close to. There were two bars, one larger and constantly moving with two bartenders manning it, the other was the smaller one that Lyfrassir was at, one bartender behind it. In the corner between the two bars was a small stage. There was no one at the stage playing, though there was a piano on it, a flute on a stand and a violin, as if the instruments were waiting to be played by their owners.
There were tables and booths where people sat and spoke, though Lyfrassir found themself preferring to stay at the bar. The bartender didn’t seem against them staying, even asking them their thoughts about a few of the stories that people had told drunkenly after the people left.
After a few hours and four drinks over those hours Lyfrassir bid the bartender a goodnight and made their way home.
The next week after one of their coworkers decided that it would be a good idea to lean against their desk for twenty minutes babbling about something Lyfrassir hadn’t been paying attention to before he leaned closer and asked them out on a date. His request didn’t seem genuine, but like a set up for a joke with Lyfrassir as the punchline.
Nope. Not dealing with this.
Lyfrassir refused, politely stating that they were busy and that it was unprofessional to date a coworker before grabbing their paperwork, their only pen after all of their pens at their desk had been replaced with crayons overnight, their coworkers apparently not expecting them to carry any with them in their bag, and left to do their paperwork by Raspuitina. At least there would be no gossiping there. Just silence for them to work.
Rasputina nodded at them as they sat down, continuing to dismantle one of the pens that she had in her cell as she always seemed to. Lyfrassir worked on their paperwork, glad for some silence for once.
After a while Rasputina spoke.
“What brings you here today Inspector?”
“Pens replaced with crayons, which was fine, I have my own pen in my bag. Then someone decided to ask me out for some reason. Wouldn’t stop leaning on my desk. Needed to get away from the noise.”
“How’s the paperwork?”
“Almost finished.”
“And your question?”
“Any alibis for the theft of the Valkyrie ship?”
“Nope.”
“Wonderful. Thank you.”
“Of course.”
That evening after work Lyfrassir found themself heading back to the bar they had gone to the week before. The small bar was empty when they arrived, the bartender with red hair not behind it. That was fine Lyfrassir could grab a drink at the larger bar and move to a booth, sit by themself in a corner.
Then the woman with the red hair made her way across the stage and to the small bar, waving Lyfrassir over to her with a smile on her face.
“Welcome back. Same drink as last week?”
She remembered their order. That brought a small smile to their face. Nothing highly noticeable, just a small tug at the corner of their mouth.
“Yes please.”
“Coming right up.”
A moment later the bartender set a drink in front of Lyf with a smile.
“Was this week better than last?”
“I was barely in the office, so that was good. Though my coworkers decided to replace all my pens with crayons.”
“All of them?”
“All but the one I carry in my bag. Their faces when they came over to my desk to see me using a pen and unphased by the crayons in my pen holder were priceless.”
The bartender gave a small smile and a small chuckle at that.
“They didn’t expect you to have a pen on you?”
“Apparently not. I’m going to see how long it takes them to return my pens without mentioning it once.”
“I wish you luck.”
“Thank you. Any interesting stories I missed?”
“Several. How long do you have?”
“I’ve got no work tomorrow.”
“Wonderful.”
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Ivy hadn’t expected the inspector from the week prior to return. Fae was however pleasantly surprised when they returned a week later, same day and roughly the same time that they had arrived the week before. Ivy made faer way to the smaller bar, waving them over. They were interesting, not just in the stories they had to tell, but in their observations. While they sat silently while others talked, whenever Ivy moved to ask them what they thought of the stories the customer had told they would analyze every bit of it, coming to conclusions that brought a smile to Ivy’s face.
Fae was glad that they returned, as she had enjoyed their company the week before. Fae would need to get their name to stop calling them Mx. Inspector in her head. Their pronouns would also be good to get.
Ivy was about to look for someone interesting to wave over when a small group walked into the bar. This was common and Ivy thought nothing of them as they walked to the larger bar that Raphaella was manning with Marius who Ivy could tell was about to move to the stage to play violin for a bit while they were in a slower patch.
Ivy ignored the group and turned back to the Inspector.
“I’ve realized I never introduced myself. Ivy, she/fae at your service.”
The inspector gave her a small smile and fae found herself wondering what it would take to get a larger smile from them.
“Lyfrassir Edda, they/them, call me Lyf. It’s lovely to officially meet you, Ivy.”
“Likewise, Lyf.”
A few moments later Marius moved to the stage to perform as Ivy spotted someone who seemed to have an interesting story approaching the larger bar, waving them over with a smile while Lyf pulled out a book that they had brought with them. A point in their favor, Ivy would have to ask them about their preferences in books later, when fae wasn’t serving a different customer.
While Ivy was serving the other customer and listening to her talk about her date, about to ask if she needed her to go kick him out or get her a taxi someone walked over to faer bar. Someone she hadn’t waved over. Someone who went straight towards Lyf.
As the person approached Lyf the violin music began to speed up, the kind of music you would hear in a horror movie or game just before something went wrong. The kind of music that gave someone anxiety.
People turned to stare at the man, to see why the music was playing. Those who were regulars knew that not having an invite to the small bar, no matter who was behind it, often led to something unpleasant. This person was going to learn the same lesson.
The customer leaned against the bar, doing their best to crowd Lyf, their hand going over Lyf’s drink. Ivy would be replacing their drink as soon as the person left. They would not drink out of that cup. Not when there’s a chance that something could have been slipped inside it.
“Thought you said you were busy, Edda.”
“I did, yes.”
“Doesn’t seem like you’re very busy.”
“What I do is none of your business. I also informed you that it’s unprofessional of me to date a coworker.”
Ivy slipped in at that moment. She was sure that Lyf could handle their own battles, however this was faer bar and she would not tolerate people like that in her establishment or at her bar.
“They’ve told you no. Pay your tab and get out.”
“Look miss, this is a private conversation-”
“You are disturbing one of my customers in my establishment at my bar. Pay your tab and get out or get a violin bow shoved up your ass to match the stick already up there.”
The customer bristled, looking at Ivy as if she’d just slapped them.
“Is that a threat?”
Marius, who was walking slowly towards him still playing the violin at speeds that may even make Nastya proud, spoke with a smile on his face that screamed unhinged.
“It’s a warning. Which will it be? Walking out peacefully after paying your tab or paying your tab and walking out with a violin bow up your ass?”
The customer looked towards Lyf, though practically ran to the larger bar to pay their tab when Marius stopped playing, pointing his bow at them threateningly.
Once the person was gone Marius nodded at Lyf and Ivy before returning to the stage to continue his performance.
Lyf was the first to speak once the person who had harassed them was gone.
“Sorry you had to deal with that.”
“Don’t apologize, it’s enrichment, and a good lesson to others to not try to start shit in here.”
Ivy took Lyf’s glass, replacing their drink with a fresh one before moving back to the other customer. Lyf deserved a moment to breathe.
After the kind customer with a terrible date was called a taxi home and her date was escorted out Ivy smiled at Lyf who sat in the same chair they had sat in the week before, the book they had abandoned when their coworker arrived was back in their hands, a notebook and pen beside them.
Their routine from the week prior continued, Ivy waving people over when fae found someone who seemed interesting, Lyf and her speaking of their observations and thoughts after the customer left and then repeat. Though, there was the addition of the notebook which Lyf wrote things in, observations they had, interesting things they heard.
Ivy couldn’t help but hope that maybe this routine would continue.
She knew better than to get attached. Lyf was mortal, they would die. However fae could see herself getting attached to Lyf. The thought should be terrifying, yet it felt inevitable. How interesting.
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Lyfrassir ignored the gossip of their coworkers throughout the week, at least they were being left alone when they were in the office. Their partner was kind, an older inspector who didn’t participate in the pranks against them. She was kind, didn’t take any nonsense. She had been trained by Lyfrassir’s mother and had a soft spot for Lyf. She knew what they were capable of and didn’t treat them as if they were incompetent, it was wonderful.
Despite the good week they still found themself visiting both Rasputina and the bar at the end of that week. It was a routine at this point, do paperwork by Rasputina’s cell once a week and at the end of the work week go to the bar and sit with Ivy, analyzing people and reading.
The routine continued for several months, though their visits to Rasputina weren’t always weekly, and at times they weren’t able to make it due to the bar due to a troublesome case.
The first time that Lyfrassir didn’t go to the bar at the end of the week was because of a stakeout which lasted three days.
In the end they caught the suspect and Lyfrassir promptly went home, slept for 13 hours and then continued their normal routine.
When they entered the bar Ivy waved them over as if they had missed more than one routine meeting.
“You weren’t here last week.”
“Three day long stakeout.”
“That would explain your absence. Did it go well?”
“It did, yes. Though I wish it had been shorter.”
“That is fair. Would you like to know what you missed while you were gone?”
“Yes, please.”
Lyf listened to Ivy speak of what they had missed since their last visit to the bar, adding notes to their notebook as they did so. Writing down interesting stories and places mentioned as fae spoke. It was nice speaking with Ivy, having this normalcy, this routine that both of them enjoyed.
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Raphaella was intrigued, for the past few months Ivy had been manning the smaller bar on the same day each evening, around the same time every week, always waving over the same customer. It wasn’t often that Ivy waved the same customer over so often, in fact this was the one fae had waved over the most since they opened several decades ago.
One week Raphaella decided it was her turn to meet them.
She claimed the smaller bar before Ivy could.
When Ivy’s regular entered the bar Raphaella waved them over, a large smile on her face.
They approached, sitting in the same seat they always did, confusion evident on their face. They were pretty, with blue skin and nice light blue hair that was almost white that was braided brilliantly. Their eyes were silver, a very interesting color. She wanted to study them.
“Hello!”
“Good evening.”
“I’m Raphaella! She/her!”
“Lyfrassir, they/them.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you Lyfrassir! I’ve seen Ivy talk to you and haven’t gotten the chance to do so myself! You’re the first person that fae has waved over as often as she has, I’ve been wanting to meet you but she’s always over here! So I got here before fae could!”
Lyfrassir nodded and Raphaella smiled at them.
“Now! I know you get the same thing every time. However, may I give you a counter offer of taste testing a drink for me? It’ll be free!”
Lyfrassir stared at her for a few moments before nodding slightly.
“I want to know everything you put in it.”
“Of course!!!”
Raphaella made the drink, one she’d been wanting to add to the menu for a while, yet unable to because the others said she needed taste testers and she hadn’t gotten any yet. Maybe if Lyfrassir liked the drink then Ivy would join her in convincing Marius to add it to the menu!
Lyfrassir stared at the drink for a moment before taking a sip of it. They blinked, stared at it and took another sip.
After a moment of silence they looked up at Raphaella.
“It’s good. A bit sweet, but good.”
Hmmm.
That sounded like a challenge.
But also encouragement.
“Do you think that it should be added to the menu?”
Lyfrassir thought for a moment, taking out their notebook and looking through it for a moment before nodding.
“It’s common for people to get sweeter drinks, especially those who are newer to drinking or those who are celebrating something. It would likely sell well.”
“So yes it should be added?”
Lyfrassir gave a small smile, not anything noticeable unless you had been around Jonny D’Ville and Nastya Rasputina for millenia like Raphaella had.
“Yes, it should.”
“Perfect! Wonderful! Thank you!!!”
Raphaella ran to the larger bar, a large smile on her face as she ran to Ivy.
“Lyfrassir agrees that one of my drinks should be added! You can even ask them! They liked it!!!”
Ivy looked at Raphaella then back at Lyfrassir, who was watching them with a raised eyebrow. Ivy sighed, though there was a smile on her face.
“I’ll speak with Marius about getting it added tomorrow morning. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am going to go to the small bar.”
Raphaella watched as Ivy moved towards Lyfrassir, her smile never wavering. She would need to get to know them more. Maybe they would taste test more of her drinks. She would find out what they liked best. They’d unknowingly given her a challenge, and Raphaella adored challenges.
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Ivy stepped behind the bar and was met with Lyf attempting to hold back a smile.
“She was very energetic.”
“She always is. I apologize-”
“Don’t. She didn’t do anything wrong, Ivy. Plus, it was nice, seeing someone so energetic. If only for a few moments. I don’t know how I would handle that for several hours.”
“It’s worse when Marius joins her.”
“The violinist, yes?”
“Correct.”
“You three seem close.”
“We are, yes. We’ve all been dating for several years. Eachother and a few others.”
Lyfrassir’s smile seemed to falter for a moment, but just briefly for a reason Ivy couldn’t determine.
“May I have my usual?”
“Are you not going to finish the drink Raphaella made you?”
“I fear it may rot my teeth. I’m not typically one for sweet things. Though, I will likely drink it slowly throughout the night between my normal drink.”
“That is quite fair, Raphaella does tend to make drinks on the sweeter side.”
From there they carried on with their usual routine, Ivy giving Lyfrassir a run down on interesting customers since their last visit and then waving customers over every once in a while, speaking with Lyf about their thoughts and observations afterwards.
When Lyf left that night their notebook sat on the bar with a note attached that read “Notebook 1; full. Will return with another next week.” Ivy set the notebook in a cubby on the underside of the bar where she kept her books with a smile on her face. Fae would have to look through the notebook after they closed the bar or before they opened the next day.
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Lyfrassir didn’t know what to expect the first time they met Raphaella, though the change she brought to the routine was a welcome one. Every other week Raphaella would be the one at the bar when Lyf arrived and each time she’d make them a drink, telling them everything she added before asking their opinions on it.
Each time Lyfrassir would give their honest opinion, though they tried their best not to come off as insulting if they didn’t enjoy the drink.
Each time Raphaella would nod at them, thank them and then run to Ivy, who would then make faer way to the bar and the original routine would continue.
Lyfrassir told Rasputina of them one day, when she asked what had them in such a good mood. They weren’t sure if she was going to cry or cheer when she heard their names.
“That’s my crew. They. Fuck how are they here? I- have you-”
“I’ve never mentioned you by name. I won’t.”
It was strange to think that these people who Lyfrassir was slowly coming to care for and trust were part of Rasputina’s crew. That they were criminals just like her. Even if they may not have left any evidence of crime on Midgard, though at the same time it wasn’t a surprise. They had a reputation after all, one of protectiveness and violence when necessary.
Rasputina rarely spoke of her crew, only mentioning them once or twice before. Never names, never details.
“Do you want to tell me about them?”
“Maybe another time.”
That was when their deal changed a bit. Lyfrassir would do paperwork and could either ask a case related question or a crew related one.
They learned that the crew was called The Mechanisms, that they were a band of space pirates. That they each played at least one instrument. They learned that while she preferred the viola, Raspitina also played the violin, that she and Marius had a competition on who was better. They learned that Ivy was an Archivist and Raphaella a scientist, and oh if that didn’t make perfect sense. Marius being a doctor that wasn’t really a doctor was strange, but well, they couldn’t help but think it fit him, even if they hadn’t spoken to him as much as they had Ivy and Raphaella. They learned that the crew was immortal. That immortality was how Rasputina had stayed young for so long.
They learned that Rasputina left her crew because she thought one of her lovers was dead, because she blamed herself. She didn’t wish to face Ivy and Raphaella, not when she’d left without a goodbye. Not when she had loved them too.
One evening after a performance almost two years after Lyfrassir began going to the bar each week Marius came over and asked their thoughts on the song he had played, he had spoken to them a few times after escorting people out, a smile on his face each time.
Lyfrassir looked at Ivy for a moment before looking back at Marius.
“I know a prisoner who could probably play the violin better than you.”
With that they turned back to their drink, a small smile on their face hidden by the glass as Marius sputtered as Raphaella called him over as she was getting swamped. Ivy stared at them, a calculating look in her eye, as if she were solving a puzzle. It was an adorable look on faer.
“The song was quite good, however I don’t wish to give him a large ego.”
Ivy smiled, one of the largest that Lyf had seen, a laugh falling from her lips for a moment that sounded like music to Lyf’s ears.
They knew these three were immortal, that they would outlive them, however through the weekly visits they slowly found themself falling for them. Slowly wondering how long they planned to stay, if they would stay until Lyfrassir had died. If they would want to bring Lyf with them. They tried not to linger on those thoughts for too long.
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Marius wasn’t jealous of all the time that Ivy and Raphaella were getting with the pretty regular each week. He wasn’t.
Plus. He’d helped them during one of their earliest visits to the bar, threatened a man who was making them uncomfortable with a violin bow up their ass.
From then whenever he was able to during their visits he played his violin, fast, slow, songs that he hoped they enjoyed, songs he knew they likely hadn’t heard from other planets.
Normally his performances ended because of the bar getting swamped and he wasn’t able to ask their thoughts before they left. One night he ended a bit early, just as a rush was beginning so that he could have a moment to ask their thoughts.
They said they knew a prisoner who could play better than him.
That stung just a bit, though it was a challenge.
He’d find a song they enjoyed. He’d impress them.
He ignored the part of him that thought of Nastya when they mentioned someone who could play better than him. He had millenia of practice, but she was older, she’d heard and learned them first.
They couldn’t be talking about Nastya anyways. She was long dead.
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Lyfrassir had been coming weekly for three years when Raphaella seemed nervous to approach them one evening. They sat in their seat at the smaller bar, they hadn’t needed waved over in weeks. They just went straight to their seat. One man had stopped them once on their way out with a smile and told them that the seat was always empty when they weren’t there, that it truly was Lyfrassir’s seat. They were the only one who ever sat there.
“Raphaella, is everything all right?”
Raphaella nodded, stepping behind the bar with a small smile on her face. It was a smaller smile than usual, though no less genuine.
“Yes! Everything is just fine, Lyf! I was wondering if you’d like to get coffee with me tomorrow? Though it’s alright if you have work- wait do you have work? I assumed not because you don’t seem the type to drink on a work night. Not that there’s anything wrong with that! I-”
Lyf smiled warmly at Raphaella.
“I would love to get coffee with you tomorrow, Raphaella. What time?”
“Is 9:30 alright?”
“9:30 is perfect. I know a good coffee shop a few blocks down, we can meet there?”
“Yes! That! Perfect! That sounds perfect!”
“Wonderful.”
“It’s a date!”
With that Raphaella ran back behind the bar, happily speaking with Marius and Ivy, almost hitting Marius with one of her wings as she ran over. It was an adorable sight. Lyfrassir found themself unable to hide their smile as Ivy joined them with a small smile of faer own.
“Good evening, Lyf.”
“Hello, Ivy.”
“How has your week been?”
“Quite well, it surely has gotten better.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Your usual?”
“Yes please, just one tonight most likely.”
“Of course.”
Lyfrassir and Ivy continued their normal routine that night, though Marius seemed to play more of what seemed to be love songs than usual, and Ivy called over less people from failing dates than usual. Lyf left early that night, determined to get a good night’s rest before their date the next morning.
They had a date.
They allowed themself for a moment to hope that maybe, just maybe, Ivy, Raphaella and Marius would stay on the planet as they grew old.
They only entertained the thought for a moment before they fell asleep.
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Raphaella woke up full of energy. She definitely didn’t hit Marius with her wings getting out of bed. Don’t listen to him if he says she did. She had a date with Lyf that morning and even better, she got a date before Ivy did!
Raphaella bounced through their home, finding a comfortable purple dress with flowers on it, along with a nice jean jacket, as the mornings tended to be a bit chilly. She found a nice pair of heels to wear and wore her hair down.
She had a date! A date with Lyf!!!!
“Raphaella, sweetheart, it’s 6:30 in the morning. You’re running on barely three hours of sleep. Why are you awake?”
“Date!!”
“Date that is in three hours. Why don’t you take a nap, sweetheart?”
“But Ivy. Date.”
“Yes, I know, however. It’s in three hours. Come, rest before the date for a bit.”
“Fine.”
Raphaella spent the time she had before her date with Lyf reading up on any and every bit of dating culture in Yggdrasil and Midgard possible. She didn’t want to do anything that could be considered insulting.
She wanted this to go right.
She ignored the voice in her head that sounded an awful lot like Jonny reminding her that Lyf was mortal and mortals die. That could change. For now, she had a date.
Raphaella practically skipped out of the house when it was time to leave for the date, a nice lilac handbag paired with her outfit, grabbed at the last minute as she kissed Marius and Ivy goodbye.
She arrived a good ten minutes early, though that was alright with her, it would ensure that she and Lyfrassir got a good place to sit.
Lyfrassir arrived five minutes later in a nice white button up shirt paired with a nice dark blue skirt and a pair of nice black boots, likely combat boots. Their hair was half braided, half down. They looked magnificent.
“Good morning, Raphaella.”
“Good morning Lyf!”
“I hope you weren’t waiting for too long.”
“No, no, I got here a few minutes ago, we’re both early.”
“We are, yes.”
Raphaella smiled as she stood, her jacket hung on her chair to save their table as they both made their way to the counter. Raphaella smiled and motioned Lyfrassir to order first before ordering for herself, paying for the both of them before Lyf could. This date was her treat.
Lyf shook their head at her before insisting that since she paid they would wait and bring the food to her. Raphaella returned to the comfortable corner spot she had claimed while waiting.
They spoke of everything and everything, of instruments they played and goals they had for the future, of their favorite subjects and of their favorite books.
Raphaella wanted nothing more than to bring Lyfrassir back with them onto the Aurora. She was sure that the others would agree with her, however the ship was no place for a mortal. She pushed their mortality out of her head as they spoke, smiling when Lyfrassir asked if she’d like to head to a nearby park to speak some more.
The park was almost better than the cafe, Lyf pointing out the different animals as they walked around. Their smile was the widest Raphaella had ever seen it. She would kill to see Lyf’s smile each day. Hell, she’d give up killing for a century or two if it meant seeing Lyf this happy for everyday they had of their mortality.
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Lyfrassir returned home from their date with a smile that wouldn’t leave their face.
Their joy stayed throughout the week, no matter what some of their coworkers did to annoy them. At the end of the week they sat with Rasputina while they did their paperwork, humming a song that they’d had stuck in their head for a few days on and off.
Rasputina frowned at them before speaking.
“Where’d you learn that song?”
“Hm?”
“The song you were humming just now.”
“Unsure. May have been from Marius. He plays quite a few. He seems to enjoy that one. Why?”
“That’s one of our songs, Cinders, a song about a woman searching through the stars for her wife.”
Lyf nodded, refusing to think about why it was that song that Marius had played, especially as often as he’d been playing it.
There was silence for a moment before Nastya spoke again.
“You’re happier than usual.”
“Am I?”
“You are.”
“Hm.”
“Anything you wish to share?”
“Just a good date, Rasputina.”
“Just a good date?”
“Leave it.”
“If you insist.”
“I do.”
Just as Lyfrassir was about to leave after they finished their paperwork Nastya spoke again.
“Nothing good comes from loving immortals, Lyfrassir.”
They ignored the smile that threatened to emerge at her saying their first name. She’d only ever called them Inspector or Edda.
“So you say.”
Lyfrassir left at that moment, unwilling to let their thoughts spiral. They had an hour left before their work day was finished. Then they could see Ivy, Raphaella and Marius. Then they could block out their thoughts of mortality and immortality with Raphaella’s laughter, Marius’ violin and Ivy’s observations.
Lyf’s smile returned with a vengeance as they stepped into the bar that evening. They were greeted with Raphaella smiling at them while waving them over.
“Good evening, Darling.”
Raphaella’s cheeks turned red.
“Good evening! I think I’ve got a drink you’re going to love!”
“That’s a high bar.”
Raphaella made and handed them a drink, a smile on her face as she did so.
It was perfect. Not too sweet, though not so bitter that it was overpowering.
Lyfrassir smiled at Raphaella.
“Mine.”
“Yours?”
“Mine.”
“Did I get it right? Did I make a drink you love?”
“You did, my Sweet”
Raphaella beamed before rushing out from the bar and pulling Lyfrassir into a hug, kissing them on the cheek before running to tell Ivy and Marius that she had finally made a drink to Lyf’s tastes.
Lyf sat in their seat, blush rising on their cheeks.
Raphaella had kissed them.
On the cheek.
But still. It was a kiss.
They found themself wondering what her lips would feel like on theirs.
Ivy appeared behind the bar a moment later. Their normal routine continued, though Raphaella appeared to tell stories of things she’d heard throughout the night, her smile never leaving her face. Lyf was sure that theirs as well had never once wavered.
Two hours into the night Ivy stared at Lyf for a few moments longer than usual before speaking.
“Lyfrassir, I was wondering if you would like to possibly accompany me on my trip to the library tomorrow?”
Another date.
Another date with one of the immortals that Lyfrassir found themself falling in love with.
“That sounds lovely Ivy.”
It did. It truly did.
“Wonderful. Does 1pm work for you?”
“It does. Meet at the library?”
“Yes.”
“Wonderful. It’s a date.”
“It is.”
Marius chose that moment to make his way behind the bar, a sly smile on his face.
“Ivy, it’s been a while since you’ve performed, why don’t you take the stage?”
“Marius, I-”
Lyf smiled softly at her.
“I’d love to hear you play something, if you don’t mind.”
Ivy smiled at them before nodding.
“Very well.”
Lyf smiled as Ivy took the stage.
There was silence from Marius for a moment before he spoke.
“Ivy says you like to analyze people.”
“I do, yes.”
“Mind if I steal her usual role? I quite enjoy psychoanalyzing people.”
Hm. This could be fun, and a good way to get to know Marius a bit better.
“Yes, that sounds quite entertaining.”
It was.
It was a different dynamic than them and Ivy, though no less entertaining. They found themself easily going back and forth with him, bantering while also analyzing other customers. Ivy’s flute playing was a wonderful background noise to it all, they found themself getting distracted by the melodies every once in a while. Though part of them missed hearing Marius’ violin, it had become part of their routine.
That evening when they left it was with a kiss to Raphaella’s cheek and the promise of a library date with Ivy the next afternoon.
------------
Ivy smiled as she got ready for her date with Lyf. She wore a nice green skirt mixed with a nice white shirt and green waistcoat. Ivy kissed Raphaella and Marius goodbye before heading to the library with a nice leather satchel in her hands full of books to return.
She arrived at the library 5 minutes before the scheduled time. Lyfrassir arrived a moment later with a smile on their face and a satchel of books by their side. They wore a nice dark blue button up matched with a black skirt. Their hair set mostly in a braided bun, though there were two loose braids framing their face. They looked breathtaking.
“Good afternoon, Lyf.”
“Hello, Ivy.”
“Shall we head in?”
“We shall.”
The date was brilliant. Ivy and Lyf recommended each other books they enjoyed, speaking of books they had both read with smiles on their faces. Once they both had found what they wanted and checked out they made their way to the park and sat together reading side by side, enjoying each other's company.
Ivy couldn’t help but see herself spending several years falling for Lyf each day just as she did her other lovers. Though she knew there was a day she would eventually mourn them each day just as she did Nastya. Regardless she would hold Lyfrassir to her heart as long as she could.
-----------
Lyfrassir found themself with the realization that they had fallen for Ivy Alexandria and Raphaella La Cognizi. That they were a moment away from falling for Marius Von Raum as well. Despite Rasputina’s attempt at warning them away from her crew they couldn’t find it in themself to stop or back away. If this ended in a tragedy, at least they would have the memories of Ivy, Raphaella and Marius.
At the end of that week after their date with Ivy while doing paperwork by Rasputina they began humming again. They barely noticed when Nastya joined in with them.
Neither of them spoke until Lyfrassir began to leave.
“You’re happy.”
“I am.”
Nastya nodded at them as they left, a small smile on their face, a hint of sadness in her eyes, as if she was already mourning them.
That evening when they entered the bar Marius was waiting for them.
“Good evening Marius.”
“Good evening Lyf! I was wondering if maybe you’d like to go on a date tomorrow?”
“I would. What was it you had in mind?”
“Raphaella said you play the cello.”
“I do.”
“What about a day of music?”
“That sounds wonderful Marius.”
“I’m glad. How does noon sound? I can make us something for lunch?”
“That sounds wonderful Marius.”
“Perfect! Wonderful! Noon here tomorrow.”
“It’s a date.”
“It is!”
Marius smiled before running over to Raphaella and Ivy.
Raphaella came over a moment later, giving Lyfrassir a kiss on the cheek before making their drink. She stayed behind the bar for a bit, telling them everything they had missed that week, smiling wider and softer each time Lyf called her Sweetheart or Darling.
Once Raphella left to the stage Ivy appeared.
“Hello Love, how was work this week?”
“It was eventful. How have you been, dear?”
“I’ve been quite well.”
“I’m glad.”
The rest of the evening was spent speaking with Ivy while Raphaella played the piano.
They couldn’t help but imagine Ivy, Raphaella and Marius braiding their hair one day. Hopefully one day soon.
------------
Marius had certainly been driving Raphaella and Ivy insane running around making sure that everything was perfect for his date with Lyfrassir.
Marius wore a nice button up paired with a nice orange and green waistcoat he enjoyed paired with a nice pair of dress pants and boots, paired with a nice pair of boot belts.
Marius prepared what he hoped was a nice lunch, which was ready just in time for Lyfrassir to arrive, five minutes early. They looked brilliant in a nice black turtleneck tank-top paired with a nice pair of black dress pants and combat boots. Their hair was down and Marius was about two seconds from a gay panic.
“Good afternoon Lyf!”
“Good afternoon Marius.”
“You’re just in time! I just finished cooking.”
Lyfrassir’s smile was as bright as a star.
This was it.
Marius was going to die of gay.
The date was brilliant.
Marius taught Lyfrassir some of his favorite love songs from different planets while they taught him their favorite songs from Midgard.
Marius could see himself giving anything to spend as long with Lyfrassir as possible.
He knew he would mourn them when they died. Yet that didn’t stop him from loving them.
He would love them for the rest of eternity. Mourn them when they died.
-----------
The beginning of the next week was wonderful, Lyfrassir’s joy from their date with Marius, from their three brilliant dates never leaving.
Then they were given the blackbox of the ratatosk express after it was found in what seemed to be some sort of meteorite crash.
They found themself spending hours upon hours on it, barely sleeping as they tried to figure it out.
At the end of the week they went to Rasputina.
“Rasputina. Do you think you could assist me?”
“With?”
“I need to watch this blackbox for a case, but it’s broken, the video is full of glitches.”
“Hand it over, I’ll see what I can do.”
Lyfrassir handed the black box to Rasputina.
She fiddled with it, moving bits of it around, doing her best to fix it when one of the corners snapped off and buried itself in Lyfrassir’s leg.
It seemed to burn through their pant leg before slowly sinking into their skin.
Lyfrassir didn’t realize they were screaming until they felt hands on their shoulders. They had fallen onto their knees in pain, which was a horrible idea, as that meant they fell directly onto the corner of the black box that had lodged itself into their leg. They weren’t sure how Nastya had gotten out of the cell, but it didn’t matter. All they knew was that their leg hurt. That the longer it was in their leg the larger the area of pain became.
“Lyfrassir. Lyfrassir look at me. Look at me.”
Lyfrassir did their best to look at Nastya.
“Good. Good. Can you tell me where to find Marius, Raphaella and Ivy?”
“Avalon.”
“Avalon?”
“Bar.”
“Alright. Come on. Up we go.”
-----------
Raphaella woke with a sense of dread in her stomach.
It wasn’t until Nastya fucking Rasputina who she could have sworn was dead stepped into the bar with Lyfrassir in her arms and on the brink of unconsciousness that she knew why.
Something happened to Lyf.
This couldn’t be happening.
No.
She just started dating them. She hadn’t even gotten to braid their hair yet. Or kiss them on the lips.
“Follow me.”
Raphaella ran down to her makeshift lab, Nastya following while Marius and Ivy cleared people out and began to pack their things up. They weren’t staying on this planet much longer.
“What happened?”
“Some sort of black box. They asked me to fix it, the corner broke off and is burying itself into their leg.”
Lyf spoke, words slurred.
“Ratatosk express. Stupid train”
That sent fear down her spine.
The train had arrived.
That was not good.
“Shit. Okay. Lyf, love, hang on for a bit longer.”
Deep breath in.
Deep breath out.
“We need to go to the Aurora.”
Nastya tensed.
“Raphaella-”
“I am not letting them die and we don’t have time. We need to leave. Now.”
------------
When Lyfrassir woke up, unaware of ever falling asleep, they were on a bed that wasn’t theirs. There were familiar voices speaking around them, two people holding their hands, another laying their head on Lyf’s chest.
Lyf looked down to see Raphaella laying on them, Ivy and Marius holding their hands.
“Hello my Loves.”
Three heads turned to face them.
“Lyf!”
“You scared the shit out of us.”
“I’m sorry.”
Lyfrassir frowned at Raphaella.
“What are you sorry for, Sweetheart?”
“I mechanized you without asking and I-”
“You saved me, Sweetheart. I’m not mad at you.”
“You’re not?”
“I’m not.”
They wouldn’t die. Their lovers weren’t going to mourn them. They weren’t going to have to wonder if they were going to leave them for the stars. They weren’t going to have to age as their lovers stayed forever young, forever unaging. Their loves wouldn’t watch them die.
Lyf kissed Raphaella on the forehead before kissing both Ivy and Marius’ cheeks.
“I’m here, you won’t lose me.”
Immortality sounded worth it with these three by their side.