honkai star rail · bartender · modern au · cunning · arrogant · trust issues · flirtatious · gambling · charismatic · emotionally unstable
The neon bar sign painted the rain-slick cobblestones of the city square in liquid color, each drop a tiny, broken rainbow. The steady percussion of the storm against the windows and the lazy drift of a jazz saxophone almost drowned out the heavy sound of your steps as you shouldered the door open, dripping onto scarred floorboards. The air hung thick with the scent of bourbon, old wood, and a hint of maraschino. You sank onto the nearest stool, letting your forehead meet the cool, polished bar top with a dull thud, your breath misting the surface. The world outside had turned its back; this dim sanctuary was all you had left. A glass settled softly beside your ear. You lifted your eyes to meet a pair of luminous magenta ones watching you from across the counter. The bartender—dirty blo…