An Unlikely Party 21: Trusting In Love

          Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Walker lightly tapped his glass on the counter repeatedly while staring blankly off across the Ladies’ Door. It was the middle of the day, so the place was fairly empty. Callie and Rede had left earlier to go explore town, while Shade and Gorgos went out to sell some potions. There were two other people sitting at the bar talking together on the opposite side from where Walker was, and a few of the dancers were chatting on the stage. “Need something else?” The bartender asked Walker.

          Walker jumped slightly, caught off guard, and turned to the bartender ceasing to tap his glass against the bar. The guy was young and strong, Walker was quickly able to recognize him as the ‘tender Para had asked to take over when they first arrived, Jack. Walker eyed him over and shook his head, his drink was still half full, “You Para’s second?”

          Jack shrugged and leaned on the bar, “She don’t have an official one yet.” He smirked and smiled, “In her defense though, she’s not going to need one for a long time.”

          “But…?” Walker asked him.

          “She seems to put more responsibility on me than the other’s here.” Jack admitted, “Especially when she’s focused on her other work, then it’s usually up to me to hold down the bar.”

          “She’s driven.” Walker sighed, “Haven’t seen a drive like that for a long time.”

          Jack chuckled, “Damn right she is. If she wants something, she gets it. She plays real nice though to everyone. Don’t wanna make any enemies.” He smirked, “Between you and me though, I’m pretty sure she could silence anyone if they tried anything.”

          “I’m sure she could.” Walker agreed. He stared down into his drink swirling it, “Probably the only reason you haven’t tried anything.” Jack’s eyes opened up wide in shock and Walker cracked a slight smile from the corner of his lips, “Best to keep it that way.”

          Jack was about to open his mouth to respond when the front doors flew wide open, “Hey, Jack!” Para shouted across the whole establishment, “Need you to go grab a case of the sapphire wine!” She pushed a handcart full of crates of liquor through the door, “I just remembered we were running low on it. Sorry!”

          “Until next time.” Walker said as Jack pushed himself off of the bar.

          Walker went back to his tapping as Jack called back out, “Sure thing, boss! Anything else you forgot?”

          Para rolled her eyes, “If so, then it sucks to be me.”

          “Fair enough.” Jack walked out from behind the bar and started to walk across the room. As he neared Para he gestured to the pair of guys at the bar, “Six basic ales.” He then gestured at Walker, “One exquisite wine.”

          “Noted.” She nodded at him and he quickly left the building. Para rolled her cart behind the counter and started to set all of the alcohol where it belonged. After a minute she finally sighed and looked over at Walker who was still tapping his glass quietly, “You alright there, Walker?” He was staring blankly into the wall behind the bar and gave no response. Para raised an eyebrow and slowly walked over to him, “Walker?”

          He inhaled quickly and snapped out, “Yea…just…just lost in thought. Y’know?”

She leaned on the bar and a concerned look fell across her face, “Tomorrow you’re headed out to try and save your wife. Shouldn’t that be on the forefront of your mind.”

          “It is.”

          “Then what thoughts are you lost in?”

          Walker smirked and took a sip of his wine, “Exactly that.” He waited for a few seconds while Para stared at him waiting for more information. Walker sighed and reluctantly relented, “It’s been years since I’ve seen her. She’s been locked up for so long and never once did I think of trying to save her. Gods fucking dammit! I was so stupid!”

          “Hey!” She raised her voice slightly to get his attention, “You thought she turned against you.”

          “I shouldn’t have ever believed it.” Walker shook his head, “I shouldn’t have. I should have known better.”

          “You were tricked, confused, and emotionally broken.” Para told him, “It’s not completely your fault.”

          “She’ll know that I thought she betrayed me…” Walker continued to stare into his drink, “I didn’t trust her. Because of that she’s been in jail for this whole damn time.” He paused for a moment and finally looked up at her, “What reason does she have to take me back?”

          Para sighed heavily and relaxed against the bar, “Did she love you?”

          “Most certainly.”

          “Then there’s your reason.” Para smiled.

          Walker shook his head, “But I fucked up. I fucked up big and she paid the price.”

          “If your spots were switched, would you still love her?”

          “Of course!”

          “Then why wouldn’t she still love you?” Para asked him.

          “Cause I didn’t trust her to love me.” Walker snapped.

          Para sighed and took a few seconds before responding, “Walker, if you were in her position. The same exact one, and the only reason you were locked up for years was because there was proof for her to believe that you betrayed her…would you forgive her? Would you still dream of her eyes? Would you still love her?”

          Walker froze in his seat. The ticking of the clock could be heard as seconds passed by. Finally he pushed his drink away from him and jumped off the stool immediately heading down into their room. Para smiled and nodded as he left for the basement. Walker opened up the hatch and jumped down it walking over to his section of the room. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a pair of pitch black bracers strapping them on quickly. Reaching back into his backpack, he pulled out a pair of curved, dark iron daggers. He smiled at them, flipped them around in his hands once, and sheathed them on his belt.

          Smiling, he stood back up and started to climb out of the room. The whole atmosphere around him seemed to darken ever so slightly as he pulled himself out of the hatch. “What’s going on?” Callie asked confused. Rede and her had just entered Para’s room.

          “Plan’s changed.” Walker said coldly, “I’m leaving now to free Night. Come with if you want to.”

          “Wha-what about Shade and Gorgos?” Callie asked him quickly.

          “I will find them and tell them the same thing. Then I am going.” 

          Callie noticed the daggers on his belt were ones she had never seen before. She nodded at him and tugged on Rede’s arm, “We’ll meet up with you, need to grab our shit.”

          “Good.” Walker nodded at her swiftly and then left the room.

          “Wait, what?” Rede asked as the door closed behind Walker.

          “Don’t question it!” Callie said climbing down into their room, “Just grab what you need to fight and follow!” Rede sighed, shook his head, and followed her lead.

          Walker went up the stairs and headed straight towards the front door. “Hey!” Para called out to him while he continued on his way, “Save her.”

          Walker froze right in front of the door and turned back ever so slightly towards Para, “I will.” He said quietly before leaving the Ladies’ Door. It didn’t take long for him to find Shade and Gorgos who were selling potions in the city center. Conversations quieted as he strode up to them, “I’m leaving for my wife, now. You can come, or you can stay…I don’t care.”

          Shade looked at Walker shocked for a few seconds before she looked up at Gorgos, who nodded while grabbing her axes. She quickly started to clean up her potions, “We’re with you. What about Rede and Calli-?”

          Her question was cut short as the pair came sprinting across the city center towards them, “We’re good! See you found the others!” Callie called out as they slowed to a stop.

          Walker smirked and nodded, “So I did.”

          “So…what’s the new plan?” Rede asked.

          Walker smiled sinisterly and smirked, “Kick some fucking ass.”