Mixology 101

Dove pauses before a somewhat dilapidated building, shrouded by neon lights, and entirely outshone by the gilded casino beside it. A large wooden sign above the door proudly announces its name: The Rabbit Hole. Beanny had been enamoured with the place.

“There's just so much potential!” she’d gushed, “The drinks- the effects they can have- I wonder if I could make something like that for cherubuns too?”

It was good to see her so passionate about something, good to see Melangel doesn’t have the same hold over her thoughts like Dove sometimes finds they have over theirs.

“You should try making a Burrowgatory drink, Dove, I know a girl who can teach you. There's so much to learn, it’ll be good for you I’m sure.!” Beanny had suggested, and of course Dove agreed.

Nervously, Dove pushes the door open, winces at the loud creaking sound. They feel a bit out of place, surrounded by drunk and lively succubuns, all packed closely together in the small bar. The smell of sweat and sex and alcohol permeates the air. Trying to be as unobtrusive as they can, Dove pushes past the wall of bodies separating them and the pink haired bartender waiting tables near the back.

“H-hops!” they try to get her attention, but their voice is lost in the noise of the crowd. Thankfully, she seems to notice anyway. She waves cheerfully, points towards a door in the back, holds up a finger. One minute!

Dove nods, their usual soft smile still fixed firmly in place, and quickly slips into the room. With this bit of solitude, they feel they can relax a little bit. The room, it turns out, is a storage closet. Wall to ceiling shelves are filled with bottles and glasses of all shapes and sizes. Dove folds their dress beneath them, sits on an old, wobbly stool in the corner and waits.

A minute passes, then five, then ten. Dove was about to creep back out of the closet to see if Hops had forgotten about them, when she suddenly burst through the door.

“Hi! Hi, you’re Dove right?” Hops greets. She’s slurring- Dove realises- she’s drunk.

“Yeah!” Dove stands, “It’s nice to meet you!”

Hops just smiles wider. “My shift just ended,” she laughs, “you’re very on time, I wasn’t expecting that.”

“Oh! That’s alright.” Dove is quick to reassure.

“Let’s get started then, shall we?” Hops grabs a few bottles off the shelves with the fluidity of a lifetime of practice, “I’ll teach you to make my special, Hopscotch!”

“A-alright!” Dove is a bit taken off balance by the quick shift in energy, “Thank you so much for making time for me!”

“Yeah of course.” Hops replies distractedly, already starting to set up a makeshift station on an empty shelf by the far wall.

Dove stands by her and watches as she pours in an unidentifiable liquor without measuring.

“This is whiskey.” Hops explains to Dove’s confused expression, “You only need whiskey to make Hopscotch.”

Dove nods, although some of Hops’ instructions still sound like a foreign language to them.

—--

When they finish, Hops downs the drink in one large gulp.

“Is- is it good?” Dove asks, a little dumbstruck.

“It’s great!” Hops turns and says right into their face, “It’s really too bad you cherubuns can’t have this stuff, you’re missing out!”

Dove laughs a little, in part a social nicety, “Are we?”

“Yeah! Nothing’s better than a drink after a long day, and during, and before!”

Something about her tone brought back Melangel’s voice. A day is never long if it’s spent virtuously, they used to say, and if everyday is spent well, you can be saved. Melangel would have an aneurysm if they could see Dove now.

“Good food and good sex, that’s all you really need.” Hops slurs sagely.

“Do you really think so?” they ask, “Aren’t there other things that we need to have meaning?”

“Like what? All I need is to eat to stay alive, and fuck for the population and then some. When those are good, I’m happy. What more meaning do I need?” Hops gives them a somewhat incredulous look. As if it really had never occurred to her that there should be more.

“I suppose so.” Dove says, after a moment too long, “Thanks for today, I learned a lot.”

“Sure!” Hops pats their shoulder cheerfully, “Feel free to come back whenever you’d like!”

“I will!” and their smile is truly genuine as they wave goodbye from the doorway.