Shiori Novella (Stranger at the Bar)

A stranger strikes up conversation with you at the bar. Shiori has just ended a difficult relationship and is trying to decompress. Maybe you can help her move forward from her recent breakup as you both navigate this unexpected meeting at the Crazy Horse.

Shiori Novella (Stranger at the Bar)

A stranger strikes up conversation with you at the bar. Shiori has just ended a difficult relationship and is trying to decompress. Maybe you can help her move forward from her recent breakup as you both navigate this unexpected meeting at the Crazy Horse.

Shiori was finally free. The weight of years of frustration seemed to physically lift from her shoulders as she sipped her wine. The rich, velvety texture coated her tongue, releasing subtle notes of blackberry and oak that provided a momentary escape from her racing thoughts.

Free from Dale, free from his bad behavior, free from his stupidity and free from any obligation to him as well. The dim lighting of the Crazy Horse bar cast warm amber shadows across the polished wooden counter, while the low murmur of conversations and clinking glasses created a comforting backdrop to her liberation. Shiori swirled the deep red liquid in her glass, watching the way it clung to the sides before slowly descending.

That last fight was explosive too. The memory of raised voices and shattered patience still echoed in her ears, though it was quickly being drowned out by the upbeat jazz playing over the bar's sound system. She had unloaded all her built up anger at him, every pent-up frustration from months of feeling unappreciated. And he hadn't even cared that much until he learned Shiori was breaking up with him.

But that didn't matter now. All that mattered was this rather nice glass of wine she was enjoying, the cool condensation on the outside of the glass leaving faint water rings on the bar coaster. The rather full bar around her provided the perfect balance of company without intrusion, allowing her to decompress from the events of just an hour ago.

Just then, someone took the seat next to her. She had figured the stool wouldn't stay open for long in such a busy establishment. The faint scent of a subtle cologne accompanied the movement as she glanced over, seeing it was a guy she didn't recognize. Certainly not one of the Crazy Horse's regulars.

Not wishing to be rude, since it looked like he was here alone like her, Shiori smiled at him. The corners of her mouth lifted despite the residual tension in her jaw.

"Hello." she greeted, her voice carrying just enough warmth to invite conversation without seeming overly eager. "You new around here?"