with approval. She didn't get dressed up very
often, she preferred jeans to skirts and flip flops to heels.
However when she did put in a little effort, she had to admit that
she cleaned up well. Her long, dark hair was pulled over one
shoulder in a low ponytail, and her face was lightly made up to
accent her green eyes. She was wearing a light blue dress that fell
to her knees. Over that she had on a leather jacket, to keep out
the chill from the snow capped mountains. She wore a pair of
leather boots with a low heel, showing off her long legs and strong
calves. She smiled seductively and blew her reflection a kiss.
Katherine tucked her money and ID into the pocket of her jacket,
and then headed out the door.
It was only a short walk to the bar, dusk was
already fading to night and the moon was beginning to appear above
the crest of the mountains. Katherine looked up at the sky,
marveling at how clearly she could see the stars here. Back in
Seattle the sky was never so clear, there was too much light
pollution and too many clouds in the way. When she arrived to the
tavern she paused outside the entrance and smiled up at the full
moon, it was growing brighter by the minute.
Inside the bar was warm and cozy. It was
dimly lit, and there was soft classical music playing in the
background. Towns people and tourists alike sat around tables,
booths, and at the bar itself, chattering and drinking. Katherine
walked over to the bar and sat down on one of the stools, crossing
her legs and leaning against the polished wood of the counter
top.
The bartender, a tall handsome blonde man,
walked over and flashed her a smile. “What can I get for you,
pretty lady from somewhere else?” he asked with a heavy accent.
Katherine chuckled. “How do you know I'm not
from around here?” she was curious how he knew right away.
“I have worked here for long time,” he
replied. “I have never seen you, and everyone comes through this
tavern at one time or other.”
That was fair enough. “Alright, I'll give you
that,” Katherine said. “Can I just have a glass of wine,
please?”
“No, no, no,” said the bartender, shaking his
head and wagging a finger at her. “Monopolowa.”
Katherine frowned. “I'm sorry?”
“Monopolowa,” the man repeated. “Vodka. You
don't come to Austria and drink wine. You drink vodka.”
Katherine wasn't much of a liquor drinker,
but she didn't want to offend anyone, so she smiled and nodded.
“Alright. Monopolowa it is. Just a small one, please. I don't want
to get drunk and make a fool of myself.”
The bartender winked at her and pulled a
glass down from behind the bar. He wiped it out and then grabbed a
clear bottle, flipping it over one shoulder before pouring into the
glass. He poured a bit more than Katherine would have preferred,
but she didn't say anything. She was eager to act like the locals
and she wanted to fit in. If she got a bit more tipsy than she
wanted...well, she would just sleep in later than she had planned
the next day. Worse things could happen.
She smiled her thanks when the bartender slid
her drink to her. “How much?” she asked, reaching for the money in
her pocket.
“The first is always free, pretty lady,” the
bartender replied. “But only the first. The second and third make
you pay.”
“Ah. Well, thank you,” Katherine replied. She
didn't plan to have a second or third, anyway. She picked up her
glass and took a large sip of the clear spirit, wincing as it
burned its way down her throat. It was good, she'd give him that,
and definitely strong. She shook her head to clear it and took
another sip.
“Good, pretty lady?”
Katherine nodded. “Yes. It's good. Thank
you.”
The bartender winked at her again and poured
another glassful, sliding it over to her. “Just in case, hm?” he
said, before going further down the bar to talk to another
patron.
A low chuckle came from beside her, and
Katherine turned her head to see a dark haired man sliding onto