Eudaemonia || Sebastian x FemOc

Sebastian's P.O.V

   My eyes read the glowing messages on my phone screen for what feels like the thousandth time in the past 2 days. I sigh and shut it off, looking at my reflection in the black screen momentarily before placing the cellular device back on my desk. I haven't heard from Jet since she called me. It came as a shock, to her I'm sure but to me as well. All I knew about her was she lived in an apartment, had a cat, and worked for a big company. I honestly tried a few times to get to know at least her real name, or what she looked like, but she said she didn't feel comfortable sharing those things on the internet. Which I guess I see her side of it, but we have been friends for going on 4 years. Dread pools in my stomach at the thought of how disheveled she had sounded when she called me. Her life being uprooted like that- it's not fair to her. I hope the reason she's not messaging me is only because she's getting settled in, and nothing bad happened to her. She was the only person I have ever truly opened up to. Sure there's Sam and Abby, but there was something about someone you know nothing about that really makes you want to spill your whole trauma to.

My phone lights up again and I scramble to grab it, sighing when I only see Sam's name on the screen.

"Hello?" I answer.

"Hey!" He says, with the same enthusiasm he always seems to possess. "Saloon tonight?"

I pull the phone away from my ear briefly to check what day it was. It's easy for it all to jumble together when you live and work in your mom's basement.

"Yeah," I reply. "I'll see you."

He does a low hum in reply before hanging up. I sigh and began re-reading through Jet and I's conversation, trying to relive speaking to her for just a little bit.

I must've lost track of time, because when I checked it was time to go to the saloon. I sighed, pulled a hoodie over my head, and began the walk to the Stardrop.

——
Juliette's P.O.V

    I stare at the jumble of clothes in my suitcase. For such a small town, I feel like there would be an unspoken dress code or something that I don't know about. I don't know anything about this place, If I'm too casual, will people think I'm lazy? and If I get too dressed up, I'll probably stick out like a sore thumb- Not saying I wouldn't anyway. I'm sure everyone's dying to meet the new farmer. All of the bars in the city were crowded, just warm, empty bodies trying to forget the events of the work week. I fit in there because no one really paid attention to me, which is how I liked it. All of the introductions I'll have to make sounds less than pleasant to me and, I'll also have to try to make a good first impression. I just got here, and I don't want anyone wishing I would leave just yet. I know small towns have a careful balance of peace, and I did not want to be the one to disturb it.

After a beat, I finally settled on a casual, black A-line dress, with a light sweater overtop with my black boots. I put my hair half-up, my signature, and did a quick face of makeup. Once I was semi-satisfied, I stepped into the brisk mid-spring air and made my way down the dirt-packed road leading from the farm to town. By the time I had reached the cobblestone, my heart was ringing in my ears out of anxiety. I took a couple deep breaths before making the last few strides to a rustic building, its sign tangled with vines and a warm glow of light coming through frosted windows. I take a deep breath, habitually combing my fingers through the ends of my hair before I open the door with a creak.

I let my eyes scan the room, a man with a comically large mustache that seemed to suit him stood behind the bar, and his eyes met mine.

"Juliette!" He exclaims, much too loud to my liking. "Welcome, Welcome!" I could feel the holes of everyone in the room staring into my back. "Hi," I say, quieter than intended. I clear my throat. "Um.. may I please see your drink menu?"

He beams at me, "Of course, and the first one is on the house." I almost protest, but I had to remind myself that people in small towns are much more friendly and personable than anywhere else I've ever seen. "Thank you," I say, making sure to put all the gratefulness i feel into my tone. I settled on a vodka soda, which was always my usual pick. Once I have my drink, I let my eyes dance around the room. I see a stout woman with long, braided hair standing next to Mayor Lewis, a flush plastered across her face. To their left, is an another woman with a braid, but with red hair similar to Robin's and much younger. Next to her is a man with long hair, with a face that looks like it stepped out of a romance novel. He looks like one of those people that are too beautiful, like you could look forever and see no flaws, which was a little off-putting to me. I was preparing to walk over and began introducing myself when I hear my name being called.

"Juliette," she says. "Hey! You're here!"

I whip around to see Abigail bouncing over to me, her purple curls twirling down herself and wearing a black outfit that complimented her body well. "Oh hey," I start. "I didn't see you."

"That's okay- here come with me, meet my friends!"
She wraps her arm around mine and drags me towards a room separate from the main bar, with arcade machines, pool tables, and few couches. "Juliette, meet Sam and Sebastian."

I move my eyes to the 2 men hovering over the pool table. The blonde is facing towards me, and he leans over the pool table- to get a better look I assume- before coming over and reaching a hand out to mine. "Sam," he says, in greeting. "It's really cool to meet you! I'm glad we have someone new." I smiled and looked up at the other figure standing in front of me. His back is turned towards me as he's making a shot on the pool table. Once I hear the clacking of acrylic and a sink into one of the pockets, is when he turns to look at me.

"Sebastian," He says, sounding disinterested. A pang of familiarity radiated through me when he talked, but I dismissed. "Juliette," I respond, doing a small wave. He grunts in response and turns back to his game. I look between Abigail and Sam, and they just smile. I guess Sebastian isn't the talkative type. Not that I am much of it either, but he seemed particularly stand-off ish.

As the night went on, I got to know Abigail and Sam a lot better. It was genuinely fun, hanging out with people and talking, like a normal person. Even Sebastian let out a couple of chuckles. I once again ignored the feeling in my stomach when he spoke. Maybe we knew each other here the seldom times I visited grandpa? Without the burden of corporate life hanging over me, I actually felt myself enjoying being out. Previously, the only time I felt that way was whenever I could game on my PC. I'm glad that even though it's gone, I'm able to find joy in other things. My heart pang at the thought of Tear though, I wonder if he has been worried about me, and if he misses talking to me as much as I missed talking to him. I truly wish I would've at least told him my real name, or sent him a picture of me just as solace for putting up with me for 4 years. Maybe, maybe after I get my wifi sorted and I can contact him again.

My blood runs warm and my stomach fuzzes, a sign that It's time for me to go home. Abigail pulls me into a drunken hug that I reciprocated, enjoying the feeling of being hugged by someone other than Ivory, and I say my goodbyes to everybody. I begin to stumble, and I feel a presence wrap my arm around my torso. I begin to protest, but with the ability to walk normally again, my mouth stays shut. I look up to see Sebastian looking down at me, his eyes piercing mine. "Do you need a walk home?" My cheeks flush with embarrassment- I think. "No, I can manage. I promise.." I say as I stumble once again. He shakes his head.  "I'll be right back," He calls over his shoulder. Sam and Abby give him a thumbs up before going back to their conversation.

"Thanks," I start. "I know this is probably the last thing you want to be doing. Not exactly the first impression I wanted to make." He shrugs, "It's fine."

The rest of the walk was in silence, and I waved him goodbye after he watched from the bottom of the porch until I got inside. I shut the door and made my way to the bathroom sink, washing my face and sighing out of embarrassment. Count on me to get white-girl wasted my first official night here. I'm sure everyone's dying to be my friend now.

I climb into bed, my head reeling from the alcohol wearing off. I pick up my phone to check the time, when I see I have one singular bar of service. I shoot up quickly, typing faster than I thought possible on the keyboard.

jujet: im ok no serviec her i been triyng to contact yuo

I sigh in relief when I see the message actually go through, but then the one bar disappears and I'm met with a flashing 'NO SERVICE.' At least I was able to let him know I was alive, albeit a bit misspelled through my drunken haze. As soon as my head hit the pillow again, I felt exhaustion take over.