It was night in Crocus, and after searching all day to no avail, Tori decided to turn in and continue her search bright and early in the morning. She recognized this area of Crocus as she walked around and remember there was a kindly man named Batra that owned a bar in the area.

Quickly finding it, she walked in to see that the place was not incredibly busy. Seeing room at the bar, she took a seat before she heard a familiar voice. "Hey Tori! Long time no see!" It was Batra, the bartender and owner, just as cheerful as always. "How have you been?" he asked, all while cleaning and restocking dishes. "Not so great lately, Batra. Been a rough month." she said sulking, wondering how to make it better. Batra instantly grew a look of concern over his face. He walked over to the blonde woman and started cleaning the area of the bar in front of her. "Well, if there is anything I can do, please let me know. It's an age old tradition for people to vent their troubles to a bartender's listening ear. Matter of fact, have a drink on me. What's your poison?" he consoled, ending with an offer of a free drink.

Tori thought for a moment, having never been a drinker, she had no idea what to get or if she even wanted alcohol. But then thought that if there was a time to have a drink, this was it. "Surprise me, Batra. Just keep in mind that I've never really drank before." she informed him in a concerned voice. The man chuckled before grabbing a few bottles and shaking up a concoction that produced a small drink that was yellow and orange in color. "That's called a tequila sunrise. Normally its really strong, but I toned it down for you. It's got a really fruity flavor and just the punch to make you feel a bit better while you regale me with your woes." He made elaborate hand gestures as he spoke, more than likely in an effort to cheer her up at least a little.

As she had not been long in Crocus anymore, she however did remember why she didn't like the town. Konstantin was here however and well probably more people that she knew if only she would get out and let herself enjoy festivities or talk to people. Covering her face and mostly her bright orange coloured hair, she moved towards an inn, caring Ophelia so she wouldn't trail behind thanks to the quick steps that Alice was taking. Nor because of the fact that she didn't want anyone to recognize her. Now she was in Crocus and she decided that she definitely needed a drink. Once she entered the Inn, she dropped the hood of her cape, let it disappear in her dimensional pocket and put Ophelia, the Clefairy, back on the ground.

It wasn't that late or apparently so people thought because the inn was quite empty. She walked towards the bar, for she mostly liked to sit there, as she also had done most of the time in Oak. Which was probably the last time she actually joined a bar to drink and forget sorrow. Although most of that was gone thanks to being back in Crocus again but a few new ones were added. Her eyes scanned the people that were there, only the barman and a blonde woman that looked familiar for one reason that she didn't know. Now Alice wasn't bad at names and faces but for one she didn't see the face and two it was just a feeling, it didn't felt like she knew her from something.

She sat herself on one of the chairs not immediately next to the blonde woman. She was leaning with her chin on her right fist and stared blankly in front of her, she had helped ophelia on the chair of her left side, having Tori on her right. She wasn't sure what the talk was about and she didn't feel the need to pry, she would hate it if people did that too her but the air around the woman was a bit gloomy. She however did hear Tequila Sunrise and when the barman was done talking, she opened her mouth, "Pardon my interuption. But I could use one as well." she said pointing at the tequila sunrise, "I don't mind a strong one however." for she had also heard that he toned it down for her but she tried to ignore the rest of the words. The barman smiled friendly to her and made another one. She turned to the woman and at seeing her face, she did have a quick flashback to Sieghart mountains, without helping her stupid quick mouth one word escaped: "You."

As she sat at the bar, she sipped the drink that was given to her. It was pretty good, and Tori could feel that sting of the alcohol in her throat. Anything to take her mind away from the pain she was feeling. As she sat, she stared into nothing, her mind wandered. She could barely wrap her mind around it. It was all her fault. She had ruined everything. Kazumi was more than likely mad about Tori running off on her like she did, but Sakama was no question. Something in her snapped because the ice mage ran off on her too. She had no idea what to do. As infatuated with Sakama as she was, Tori panicked, but if only she knew what that would have caused. She would have never thought that was the last time she would ever see her; that the last image of Sakama she would ever see would be her lips pressed against Tori's.

She was brought back to the the bar when she heard another female voice speak aloud. She asked for the same drink Alice had been given, but stated she didn't mind the normal strength of the drink. The voice would then simply say "You." Tori didn't know who she was talking to, as she didn't look up to meet her gaze, but she assumed the woman was speaking to the blonde. Continuing to stare into the drink, Tori replied apathetically as she had no emotion left to show. "Yeah? Did I do something to upset you too? That seems to have been a habit with me lately." she said coldly. "After everyone else I've hurt, you finally gonna be the one to just kill me so I can finally end this pain?" she asked, still not looking up. It was true. At this moment, Tori truly did want to die. She already felt as much inside.

Alice her mouth had gone quicker in speaking than her mind and that was kind of annoying. Who was saying "You" to a person you didn't know and well only had seen once. And not in a good way but before she could excuse herself the blonde woman started to talk and not in a happy or angry way but more sad and coolly. Alice took a sip of her tequila sunrise to make her mouth incapable of talking. She simply listened, well she wasn't so far gone in her mind as this woman but she kinda got the feeling what she was talking about. "That's not what I meant. My mouth talked before I could make sentences. I saw you proper hurt in Sieghart Mountains. I am surprised to see you here, I was merely wondering if you were okay now." well the answer was possibly: no. She didn't want to say anything about: it can't be that bad because she clearly didn't know what she had done wrong according to herself but she wanted to say something to make her see the bright side. Which had not been Alice her strongest suit for herself the last couple of days.

"I kind of know how you feel, I guess. I made some mistakes too the last couple of days and I couldn't imagine people being happy to see me. Not to eh be nosy or so but did you talk to the people that you hurt according to yourself?" She took another sip of her drink after saying that. She definitely hoped that this Fairy Tail mage.. because wasn't that what she had said that day, got what she meant and didn't take it the wrong way. She wasn't even sure if she was a Fairy Tail mage but she always expected them eh.. energetic but obviously everybody could have a bad day, week or possible month.

Tori listened to the orange haired woman speak, ending her thought with questioning whether or not Tori had tried talking to the people whom she had wronged. Tori chuckled at the notion. "I'd love to but one went back home, I think and the other one is sitting in a prison cell in Era somewhere. Apparently I hurt her so badly she went crazy. Attacked a group of civilians and a Rune Knight named Konstantin had to restrain her until she was arrested." she told the girl, raising her voice slightly as she spoke to emphasize the seriousness she felt within her. She honestly felt terrible and knew there was nothing she could do.

At that moment, Batra would interject back into the conversation. "You know, she might be right Tori. I've heard the prison doesn't allow visitors to inmates who have been captured for capital crimes. So you might have to just cut your losses there. But the other one you hurt? You can still make things right." he advised. As he finished speaking, Tori finished her drink and requested another. Without hesitation, Batra made her another refreshment. "Don't worry about this one either, Tori. You've helped me out plenty. Helping you in return is the least I can do."

Tori stared at her own reflection in the liquid before turning her attention to Batra. She just look at him for a moment without a word. She looked at the orange haired woman and did the same. Ater simply looking at the two, she stared back down and broke down in tears. She didn't know what to do anymore. She was lost, and felt abandoned by the world; fitting as she had abandoned those closest to her.

She was a weird woman, Alice thought but that was good she met enough boring ones. She didn't understand why she was chuckling at the notion about her question. But she listened as well as taking a sip. She almost choked because of the mentioning of Konstantin, right well interesting how his name popped up everywhere. She coughed and looked away and turned back to Tori. Before she could say anything the barman said something and Alice gave him a small smile. She wouldn't say she was the smartest one in this conversation but she felt dear for the blonde. Maybe it was because it was so close to what she felt herself.

"I don't know where your home is or how far but I truly do believe that it's good to tell the person what you feel. Even though she is hurt." She scooted over one seat closer to Tori, "You clearly are too." And shouldn't someone that is your friend see that too? She thought by herself but she didn't say that out loud, she wasn't sure what the blonde would think if she would touch her, she herself wasn't really a touchy feely person but it broke her heart almost when the Fairy Tail mage started to cry. She made shushing noises, out of friendliness and patted her shoulder a little, "I know it sounds crazy but at some point it will be alright. The only thing you can do is sort of acccept what happened and perhaps try to change it in the best possible way in the future. And nothing will change if you do not try to talk to others about your feelings. With that I don't mean me but the people that are dear to you." Alice jumped off her chair and took the last sip of tequila sunrise and placed some jewels on the counter. "That's the best advice I can give you. You should think about it." She didn't want to leave the blonde alone but it was for the best that she thought about it, besides she wouldn't like it if she was crying in front of strangers.

Exit.

Tori continued to cry silently as the woman gave her the best advice she could offer. She told Tori that everything would be ok in the end, and that the best she could do is try to apologize and make right what she could, but at the end of the day she had to move on with her own life. She sniffled as she looked up, tears slowing but still present as the woman had scooted a seat closer and began patting her on the shoulder. Following her counseling, the woman got up and excused herself from the bar. She had no idea who the orange haired woman was, but in the back of her mind, Tori knew that she was right. Nothing was going to change if she sat around moping and feeling sorry from herself. No matter how mad they were at her, Kazumi and Sakama wouldn't want that. Her first priority was to go apologize to Kazumi. She dreadfully wanted to apologize to Sakama too, but she doubted that she could talk the prison guards into letting her visit or even if Sakama wanted to see her. Tori had to focus on these problems one at a time. She thanked Batra for his generosity and made his way out. On her way towards the city gates, she spotted a couple of Rune Knights standing guard. "Excuse me. I was wondering if you could do me a favor." she said to them. "How can we help you, miss." "There is a girl who was recently arrested. I'm sure you've heard about the one who took hostages in the square the other day." The guards nodded. "I was wondering if you could pass along a message if you or your colleagues are in Era anytime soon. Could you simply tell her that Tori is sorry? Please? It would mean the world to me." she pleaded, causing the guards to look at each other with intrigue. "Sure, I can do that. I'm actually supposed to go back to Era for Council business tomorrow morning, so I'll pass the word along." he replied. Tori nodded and thanked the man, figuring that was the best she could do with what little she had before heading back to Magnolia.

-exit-