Unusual faces weren’t all together a strange thing at the Barking Spider. People stopped in to check it out, get a drink, and go on with their day. Most of the regulars were used to it and barely blinked an eye to it. Bastian, on the other hand, was all too acutely aware of new arrivals. Especially after what happened long ago. Women, men, he noticed them all even if it barely looked like he’d seen them at all. The girl was noted, but with so much time passing there was no way he could just give a glance at her and know who she was.

All he knew was that she was human and for him that meant less of a threat. It meant she wasn’t with people he never wanted to be in the bar again.

She took her seat and Bastian continued on with the table he was currently talking to. A group of regulars that were all grinning and trying to joke around. Even if Bastian only seemed half interested in the jokes. The guys that came into a place like this were good guys deep down. They weren’t the slur all over a girl sort, no reason that Bastian or his old man would put up with that. Most were just looking to enjoy their beer and get on with their night. Others just wanted to forget the night in a beer. This wasn’t the sort of place for girl hunting.

But though the bar was old, and though it was a bit worn, it was a friendly enough environment. Even if that needed a bit of work…the bar had gone through some tough times. Much like the family that owned it. Bastian was attempting to bring some new life into the place but considering his rather dim view on the world lately…it was a bit difficult to get the urge to brighten things up. He was trying…it was just slow going.

At the least with Bastian back in front of the bar the old man was better able to sit in the back office and go through paperwork. Handling the money side of things that needed some attention alright. Bastian helped with the catching up when he could but the old man stubbornly held to a lot of the tasks. It made him feel useful and Bastian wasn’t about to take that away from him.

“Be just a sec.” Bastian remarked to the new comer as he finished taking the order of the table and headed back behind the bar. There he glanced to the girl even as he started getting drinks ready for the other. As a bartender you had to become great friends with the ability to multitask. “Sure thing.” A remark of confirmation as he finished up the other drinks, lining them on the bar for the boys. “Making us get our own drinks, getting lazy Bas.” Bastian just rolled his eyes a bit, attempting to keep up that banter “Just helping to make sure you get some needed exercise, that’s all.” It made them all laugh.

A second later the cap to the beer was being popped off “Bottle or glass?” everyone had their preference. With the question he looked up at her again. It was only then that he got that…feeling in his gut. That strange tug that he couldn’t really place outright but it sure as hell made him cautious.