Closed To New Friends?

[Peyton Wright]

Peyton had been doing quite okay lately. She had gotten used to being on her own and living far away from her childhood home. She hadn't spoken to her mother for a couple of years and even when it still hurt she had become more succesfull in giving it a place. At least sort of. Her career wasn't really hitting of but she had made her peace with that as well. She enjoyed playing whatever gig she got and had a regular spot at a couple of bars, both magical and non-magical. It had made her wonder whether she needed to find another job next to making music since she only barely managed to pay her bills so far. Either that or she should find a roommate, someone to share in her appartment. That would at least make some difference. Nonetheless, even if she was just about getting by she wasn't too worried about it all, more occupied with a problem she had on a whole other level: friends. She had lost contact with most of her classmates from school when her father died and she had pretty much shut off the world for a little while. That plus moving from down on the south island all the way to the top of the north island had left her with very little friends, which is why she planned on taking every opportunity she got to make new ones. Tonight was one of those opportunities as she had agreed up with a guy she met a little while ago. She didn't know him all too well but he had seemed okay the first time she met him so she didn't see any harm in meeting up with him for a couple of drinks. As Peyton entered the magical bar they had agreed to meet in she looked around to see if he might have gotten there before her. When she didn't notice him yet she made her way over to the bar and got herself a drink before heading over to one of the booths at the side and taking a seat, silently hoping that he hadn't forgotten about their agreement to grab a drink. She liked to see the best in people though, so she was sure he'd be walking through those doors any minute now.

 

[Espen Mans Manning]

Espen had did his best to look good tonight. It was not very often that he went with an girl on what was it? Did you called it an date or just having drinks together? He didn't even knew what to think of it himself, but one thing he knew was that he wanted an drink badly. He tried to stay professional on work, but the moment he came home he usually grabbed an beer. It made him feel better or something. More confident and less worthless. He had dressed up nicely to his taste, and ofcourse Evelyn had heard him out about tonight and gave some clothes advice. He wondered if Peyton would like it. He had met the girl a while ago and she seemed cool. She was pretty and he liked the company. Although he wasn't sure he could open up completly to her. It was more an friendship he wanted to build first. It was just going for an drink, not an date at all. He than told himself and opened the door of the bar they would visit. He was glad to live in New Zealand again, and having his own appartment now he worked at EVELYN. He first wanted to avoid it, and show his family he could have an job outside of the family. But when Evelyn had offered him this job he could not refuse. Since he had no idea what to do other. But he kind of liked what he did and could learn a bit from his father and the relationship was better than ever. When Espen spotted Peyton at a booth and smiled shortly as he took his seat.
'' Hello there.'' Espen than said and smiled again. It was good for him to be around people and he could use some friends, so hopefully they would have an good night. '' How are you doing?'' Espen than asked her and put his coat down. He watched the bar for an moment, and was almost drawn to it. ​

 

[Peyton Wright]

Peyton had been staring at the bar's doors for a little while. Not so much because she was scared Espen wouldn't show up but more so because she just really wanted him to do show up. Between her dad dying, her being kicked out by her mom and moving across the country it had been a while, a long while, since she had a casual night out with anyone really. Her shutting herself off after her father died had caused her to lose the few friendly contacts that she had, which she knew was her own fault, and she needed the social contact. Sure, she had been doing gigs here and there which always ended up in having short chats with people but that didn't feel the same as actually meeting someone and deciding to grab a drink together, seeing if there were grounds to base a friendship on. Peyton was relieved when she noticed Espen enter the bar, which hadn't been too hard since she was still staring right at the entrance. She gave him a small wave when he smiled at her, even if that in itself already clarified that he had noticed her. "Hey." She smiled when he joined her in the booth. "I'm good, honestly just happy to grab a drink like this. It's been a while." She responded with a small laugh, hoping it didn't make her sound like too sad of a person. Which she wasn't. Well, she had been but not anymore now that she was turning things around for herself. "You wanna go get drinks?" Peyton asked as she noticed his eyes wander towards the bar for a second. She had been waiting for a little while so she could definitely use one herself as well. "I figure we'll have to go get them ourselves." She added with a chuckle. The bar was cosy, sure, but it didn't look like the place where they'd go around the tables to take up drink orders.