Chapter Text
I pulled the neon pink and blue colored jacket closer to myself, cursing this damned northern cold. After growing up in Georgia my whole life, I was so not used to the freezing winter in NY. I glanced around and spotted a small, slightly shady looking pub. Shrugging, I decided to just go in.
As soon as the door opened, I felt a warm rush of air. As I stepped in, all eyes turned towards me. That's when I realized that I was the only human in there. Normally, something like this wouldn't bother me. But when everyone was staring at me like I was a freak, it was kind of hard to not get slightly embarrassed. Forcing the embarrassment down, I walked up to the bar and sat down. That's when I noted the tall man made entirely of fire. Now, most would be scared or shocked. But I was intrigued.
I've always been a pyromaniac of sorts; setting fire to paper, lighting matches, I even once spent an hour watching a candle flame dance. So I guess this was similar. Watching as his warm orange flames dance and curl, I almost went into a trance.
Until the man cleared his throat and I realized I was staring.
"Sorry. Uh, do you have spiked cider?" I shook my head and addressed the man in front of me, taking in how he seemed instead made of flames, but rather encased in them. He was wearing a white button up and a dark brown vest, complete with a black tie. As well as square glasses sitting where his eyes would be. His mouth was outlined by a brightly glowing white light and his eyes were the same.
The man nodded and grabbed a glass, filling it with a dark, glittery liquid. I suddenly became wary of it.
"Spider cider. Same thing. Hope you don't mind it's also spiked with magic." His voice. Holy hell. It was velvety and whispy; deep and touched with that underground accent most monsters had. The mention of magic being in it made me remember to moderate how much I drank.
Magic was known to have strange effects on humans. It made us dizzy. I'd only ever drunk monster alcohol once before on a dare, and woke up the next day with the worst hangover in history and no memories of the night before. I stared down the glass before taking a sip. The magic tingled and spread warmth all throughout my mouth, but the taste remained the same. I took a bigger drink and immediately regretted it.
Suddenly, I lost feeling in my tongue and felt the magic burn it's way down my stomach where I had the sudden urge to simultaneously throw up and eat everything in sight. The feeling of warmth on my face alerted me of the drunken glow appearing on my face.
I noped out of drinking the rest.
"heya kiddo. sorry to bother ya, but you're in my seat." A bony hand laid on my shoulder and a deep voice sounded from behind. I nearly jumped out of my skin. I looked over and saw a skeleton in a blue jacket grinning lazily at me. I slide off the stool and stumbled a bit, the vertigo effect of magic setting in. And that's when I blacked out.
______________________________________
"kid? hey, kid. wake up!"
"Never...touching magic...again..." I managed to groan out, raising my body slowly and testing my head in my hand.
"Are you alright miss? Anything you need?" I stiffened, hearing that strange voice that made me want to jump it.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just... give me a minute..." I took a deep breath and slowly stood up. A warm hand quickly took mine and helped me up off the ground.
"Thank you..." My voice trailed off once I saw the one helping me was the fiery man from before. I stared again, entranced by the way the fire licked at my jacket but didn't do any damage. He seemed to notice my staring but took it the wrong way.
"Oh! Sorry." The hand was quickly removed.
"Oh no, it's fine. I just...like fire." I said awkwardly, for the first time in my life. His flames seemed to turn a deeper red and sparks popped from his head. It was kinda cute. The Skeleton I'd just noticed began to snicker.
"yeah, i guess he's pretty hot." The skeleton's eye-bone raised as he hated my reaction. I started giggling.
"finally someone finds my puns humerous!"
"Yeah, puns really tickle my funny bone." I shot back, using the best one I could manage in my magic-induced haze.
"Alright now, are you sure you're okay? didn't realize there was so much magic in that.” The fire man seemed genuinely concerned. I couldn't help but feel touched that he cared.
“Yeah, I'm fine. Um...my name's Kate. Thanks for caring.” I stuck out a hand, which the man seemed reluctant to grab.
“Grillby.” He shook my hand lightly, touching me carefully. I smiled my usual grin and turned to the Skeleton.
“sans. sans the skeleton.” He returned mine with a slightly wider grin than what seemed to be his usual face.
“Nice to meet y'all. I mean, both of you.” I quickly corrected my natural southern tendency.
“Would you care for me to escort you home?” Grillby offered.
“Nah, I'll be fine. How much do I owe you for the cider?” I pulled my wallet out, only for Grillby to wave his hands.
“No need. It's on the house.” Oh. I smiled.
“Thank you. That's very sweet. I should probably be off by now. My cat gets grumpy when his food is late.”
And with that, I set off back into the cold night. I instantly missed the warmth of the bar and began huddling inside my jacket once more.
I'm well used to monsters by now. Living off of a student's pay meant the only place I could afford was right in the middle of a monster community. At first I was kind of wary, but then I realized they're just like people. Just because their bodies are made of magic, didn't mean they were monstrous or animalistic. If anything, the monster's were better neighbors than humans were. Being stuck underground for years caused a strong bond so no one really messed with anyone else.
It's been around five years. Amazing how much has changed. I look around and see propaganda posters set up by hate groups, the loving families of monsters, and the undercurrent of tension that lies in a city divided.
“Hey there, cutie. Couldn't help but notice you leaving that hell hole. Any reason you were there?” A gravelly voice appeared behind me. I jumped and turned around, instinctively going into a fighting stance.
Before me stood a very tall man looking like he was in his early to late thirties. His head was shaved clean and had a shirt with HUAM across it in big bold letters. Human United Against Monsters. He was big, bald, and muscular.
“What's it to you?” I countered.
“What's it to me? Well, I just wanted to know if that sweet ass I'm 'bout to get was tainted by demons. But you know better, right? You ain't a dirty lil demon fucker.” A disgusting and perverse sneer formed across his face as his eyes raked up and down me.
“Who the fuck do you think you are?!” I let out a loud and incredulous laugh.
“Hmm… you don't seem to get the situation, doll. Maybe I'll just have to show you.” the sneer disappeared and he lunged at me. I easily side-stepped, adding a quick elbow to the back and knee to the gut. When the man wobbled back to his feet, I pulled out my pepper spray, sprayed him, and ran.
Jesus god, what a night.