Welcome to Stoneport

"What makes you say that?" Noct asked, "Anyone can dance. Well, anyone with legs, and you do have legs..." Noct said, taking the opportunity to take another peek.

"I think... you need the right attitude to dance," Astarte's blush died down and she decided not to drink anymore- until later at least. "I can't be enthusiastic about something like dancing... I think..."

"Well, what can you be enthusiastic about?" Noctis asked finishing off her glass of champagne finally.

Astarte shrugged and began absently wiping a glass with a tea towel.

"Surely there is something you're passionate about?" Noct continued.

"I don't know," Astarte tilted her head slightly and looked at the spotless glass in her hands. "I'm a bar tender with no ambition. I have no real family left and very few friends. What else is there I could be passionate about in this city?"

"Fair enough point," Noct admitted, "All the more reason you should come work for me, a change in scenery might do you some good."

"What exactly would I do for you?" Astarte asked, putting the glass down. "I have no experience in... well, anything but waitressing and tending bar."

"Nothing complicated, answering my calls, getting me coffee, telling people I will or won't be seeing them," Noct said, "All very simple things, and I can guarantee you the pay will be better, and you won't have to deal with... that." She turned to point at the guy who was hitting on her before, but was now passed out on the floor, "Or that." She motioned to the lines of coke at the other end of the bar.

"It does sound... preferable to this line of work, and might be a good idea," Astarte smiled, she had not expected anything good to come of this party. "But on the other hand I won't be able to go home with free booze anymore."

Noct smiled, "If that is your one condition, I'll get you a bottle of your choice with every pay check. My only condition is that you find yourself a hobby you enjoy. Sound fair?"

"That sounds perfect," Astarte said. "Would you like another drink?"

"Certainly," Noct said, pushing both her glasses forward.

Astarte filled both glasses and slid them back. She considered pouring herself some more as well, but once again decided not to.
"So, do you have a card or something?" Astarte asked, taking up her tea towel once more and wiping a spill an arm's length down the bar. "To contact you later, I mean."

"Certainly," Noct repeated herself, digging into a handbag and pulling out a black card with white, engraved writing. She extended it out towards Astarte. It had her name, job title, CEO, and a few other acronyms, her work address, and, of course, her work number.

Astarte accepted the card with a smile and slipped into the inside pocket of her silk jacket. If Noctis was watching closely, she would have noticed a momentarily visible pistol grip.
"Thank you."

Noct was indeed watching closely, "Don't mention it. So, do you shoot, or is it for defense?"

"Oh..." Astarte paused for a moment and looked around. She had no idea what Carson would think of his bar tender carrying firearms on the job. "Self defense, I suppose... In this line of work I've come closer to using it than I would like. Do you shoot?"

Noct nodded, "I do. I'm from Stoneport, it is kind of a requirement."

"I suppose that's true, which is sad," Astarte smiled a little and looked down at the bar, seeming fatigued for a moment before recovering. "I learnt to shoot when I was just a little girl. My father was in the police, so he taught me and my brother when we were young. Did you take a self defense course or something?"

"Exactly that," Noctis replied, "I took lessons in firearms and martial arts." Noct leaned on her hands again, after downing her third shot of vodka, "So, you have a brother?"

"Unfortunately so," Astarte's face darkened. "Do you have any siblings?"

Noct shook her head, "No, I'm an only child. So how about you? I sense that you don't have the best relationship with him."

"A brute who takes after my father only in appearance," Astarte tried not to frown as she spoke. "He's spent all his life trying to make a name for himself, and he's more than likely going to meet an early end. But anyway, enough of him."
She finally gave in and poured herself a shot of vodka.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up," Noct said, sipping from her champagne. "So, what part of town do you live in? I would hate it if I just talked you into a hellish commute."