So a mute and mechanic walk into a bar [inv]

Youthful tenderness hadn't eluded Sasha's grasp. Horrific encounters years prior tempered cheerful innocence into hardened observer. Teenagers should spent time talking about sex, shopping, reading comics, gaming, or sports. Ever well-mannered, exemplary fashion almost indistinguishable from that of nobility; her mannerisms, coupled with keen intellect, often leave people astounded. Humble origins tarnished, merely four years ago Sasha's cheerfulness and voice burned away. Survivor's guilt hadn't weighed heavily on Sasha in over a year, partly broken yet not; Sasha's strong sense of self and ambition hadn't slowed her. Merely lacking information. Teeth touched without jaw clinching, showing no sense of weary or melancholy when setting aside her moped.

Food carried by both hands plates and spoons stuffed in a bag atop, Sasha nodded for a greeting. Today her hands were better off than yesterday, though keeping herself from strenuous would be needed. Strain was there but that came from her hands tired from cooking. Times like this Sasha, normally, wouldn't mind being unable to speak, but she still didn't feel much like saying anything even to Tanya. She'd just speak when needed, or such was her thought process. Once Sasha could free herself of the food, rather she carried or Tanya to a table, she'd pull out her phone and type.

"Today's meal is nutritious."

"Hard work means healthy food."

Where Sasha grew up, saying because Tanya might sweat a lot would be rude, so she stated it like that.

"It is tasty."

Milk wouldn't bold well for warm days. Despite today being cool milk and outings spelled disaster for Sasha's stomach. She must preferred milk when staying inside or, in case of an outing, pasta based dishes. Orange juice could upset her stomach as well. Not because she possessed a weak stomach but her dish was already acidic with vegetables. So "Water" was Sasha's choice. Like normal their conversation continued in German, pausing for a bit to reallocate her French thinking brain with German. Gabby also noticed Tanya wasn't quite clean as her. Fingers tensed with the previous dishes remaining out but living alone meant cleaning up when needed. Judging by Tanya's dishes Sasha figured she might live alone.

"I'm happy you like it."

"My hands are feeling better now, but I should still avoid overuse."

"This much is fine though."

"So how is your day?"

Concerned with Tanya, Sasha began making her plate and shoved aside thoughts about tonight. If Tanya wanted to talk about it she would, much how Sasha might end up explaining her past. She'd not pick at her food, trying not to hesitate or let Tanya know what she might be thinking.

"I once thought about becoming a chief." The reason why 'once' was left be, Tanya knowing why already.

"Since you enjoy. I'll start cooking now and then."

Silent laughter from closed lips. Hardly ever did Sasha's lips part and now wasn't one of those times. Shoulders slightly moved with left hand, primary one holding phone, covered her lips. Partly made as a gesture for laughing, choosing what could be considered giggles rather than outright laughter. Regal but humorous, an old grandfather clock whose pendulum barely swung. She may teach Tanya how to cook but Tanya might not be the cooking type, or maybe she hadn't found what she enjoyed cooking.

"German dish. Give me the name and I'll see what I can do."

A nod of approval. Sasha enjoyed cooking and cooking for this unexpected friend wouldn't be bad. Distant and closed off, she needed someone close by she could talk with more. Tanya, being more of a gear head, might not enjoy someone like Sasha as company, but here they were.

The something popped up that should be expected. An obvious question remaining within their current topic but also deviating from Sasha's care. The once faint smile turned neutral and heavy, shoulders and body solid yet still fluid as she glanced towards Tanya. Nerves remained steady just as hands when she looked down at her phone. Taking a moment Sasha needed to give an answer, but didn't want to scare Tanya away, however, perhaps there was more to Tanya than she let on. After all, there was that strange card.

"If I said I once lived in a haunted house, would you believe me?"

Tanya plopped down an odd looking book. Judging by cover this book had seen its fair share of adventure. Eyes remained targeting aged book when Tanya walked out. Sasha choose to stay behind since carrying such a book might cause damage, already experiencing ware and tear. As little they knew about one another Sasha couldn’t say she’d feel comfortable leaving Tanya alone inside her house, however, on the reverse, Tanya’s shop was also right outside. Perhaps trust grew too quickly between them but Sasha wouldn’t walk away from a potential friend; Though they seemed to already established they were. Fingers carefully split pages, taking note how they looked. Being unable to speak, and one who spent time with books, these pages all looked incredibly old.

could this be passed down? Being her mother’s that might be the case. Further inspecting, Sasha looked at the ingredients. There wasn’t an amount or specifics on how long to cook, simply what the dish called for. Shoulders slumped with closed eyes and solemn expression. Could this be a family secret recipe? But something strange caught a rising brow.

"A gift to my wife Hannah and daughter Tanya Wyrdhaven December 6th 1816"

Sasha paused. Did Tanya have an ancestor named Tanya too? Fingers shook with blood flowing like water. Thin and little blood pressure causing her head to become light. Frost crept from neck to breast squeezing like a vice. Parted lips nearly made a sound but biting lip, twitching fingers felt brittle as though they’d break from movement alone. She thought to heavily into this. Maybe Sasha had grown crazy since that incident years ago. Maybe the vanishing card this morning wasn’t real. Head feel over book with hands holding in place. She took a moment to reserve herself and walked outside with her normal expression.

Sasha didn’t have her phone in hand. Instead, she pulled out what looked like a wallet, flipping it over with several pieces of paper and a small pencil. She began writing.

”December 6th 1816. Tanya, how old are you?”

Sasha skipped asking if Tanya had an older relative and went straight to the point. But on paper? If Tanya was the one she sent the text to this morning, then she’d be careful like with deleting the message. However, Sasha held up a finger before Tanya could speak so she could write one last thing.

”Tanya. I have secrets too. But later, ok?”

She smiled and nodded. Sasha didn’t want Tanya to answer. So she pulled her phone back and erased what she wrote, putting her notepad back up.

”The recipe. I will look into old German dishes.”

”I’ll see what they call for and what I can do?”

”Do you mind if I help fix things? I’d like to learn. I can’t stress my hands much, but I can watch and hand you things.”

Cars weren't Sasha's strong point. Being young, she never drove but that wasn't an excuse not to know. One day, she could find something like this useful. For example, saving money by doing it herself if she had a car. The dipstick, oil pan, what type of oil, how much; These were just the basics. Sasha detested grimy hands partly because it felt dirty and also her phone.
"Investing in gloves is a good idea."

She never had much reason before. Taking care of her moped, while somewhat dirty, didn't require texting anyone. Plus being electric there was less fuel pumping through the parts, or so she figured. Taking time to sit down and study the ins and outs of a motorized scooter wasn't a bad idea. Sasha used her text-to-voice function asking what an odd cord was.

"This is what shops use to put in oil?"

Wrong. That was an air hose. The heavier duty equipment, such as thicker hoses, wasn't something Sasha was use to. Basic things for the house, that was about it. She was listening, remaining quiet most of the time rather than asking questions. But, that one key moment did stand out like a sore thumb.

Intermission.

Children remain innocent until truth stains eyes ears and mind. Any childlike wonder vanishes, submerged by suffocating, horrible, reality. Parents mold their offspring into fine people that too will lie cheat and steal, even if their intentions are to make them better than they were. This part of evolution stains humanity, for it causes Humans to consume as they strive. However, some give back. Sasha's family was the latter. Laughter came from Mama's sweetly baked breads that tickled her taste buds, while sweat and bruises on her body from Papa's fencing. Each day was filled with joy, but like all fairytales the curtain fell.

To escape city life, they moved to a smaller, countryside, town. Forests and rolling green hills, a place distant from technology where even a Super Nintendo was a rare sight. Television and local news were unneeded for the farming-like community as word passed quickly. Life seemed good, but hidden beneath a vale was the occult. A curious child wondered out into the woods at night and saw strange glowing symbols with people chanting. She'd seen them wonder from her window before, but tonight she was extra curious. The next day--

End intermission.

Sasha returned home, quickly bathed, and changed clothes. Tonight she needed something she could move around in and that wouldn't draw attention. Black shorts stopped above mid thigh. A pale blue sweater was interwoven with black upon the shoulders, thinning out as they moved down and underneath her armpits. Along the front was a zipper with black out about half an inch on each side, currently it was zipped up. And two sections in the sides with black signifying pockets. For footwear she had chosen boots. A mix of style and combat.

A karaoke bar. My presence here is an oxymoron.

Shoulders remained stationary yet her lowering head and closed eyes was with disbelief. Had -Tanya- chose this place as a joke? The scents inside were also unpleasing. Sweat and body order mixed with alcohol and juice. Cheeks peeled back yet she didn't bare her teeth. Instead, returning to her reserved self and approached the back rooms.

One. Two. Three.

Feet covered by stone, arms heavy, breaths deep, but Sasha already made her decision. She stepped inside the room.

"The business card."

"This morning it vanished."

Fingers fluidly typed without much hesitation, only taking pauses during and between words to make sure they were spelled correctly. Proper grammar wasn't Sasha's primary focus, however, passion fear and anticipation wouldn't detour Sasha from keeping her cool. Enough games. she thought. I want answers but knew patience was virtuous especially when involving the unknown. Tensing muscles curled and tightening, squeezing together along shoulder blades sides and legs. Elongated breaths, tame as they were, expelled much heat unbeknownst to Sasha.

"It was after I texted the number."

The room felt cool, for it must with so much activity that could happen, yet Sasha became aware her own body began growing warmer and warmer. Under her nose, on her upper lip. the heat from her nostrils finally became apparent. It wasn't her sweater but Sasha herself that was making herself hot. With phone clinched and brought against chest, right arm left to hang, she closed her eyes and inhaled and exhaled slowly; Taking a seat near Tanya. Her breathing mostly returned to normal temperature. She still needed to be careful. Like Tanya, the people from years ago were also friendly. She didn't want another incident like before, but that's one reason she was here.

"So a mute walks into a karaoke bar..."

Lips quivered into a reserved smile, nodding to Tanya that she was, at least trying, to remain comfortable.