begad
Junior Member
Posts: 93
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Post by begad on May 31, 2016 18:45:35 GMT
"Right," said Ormen, moving to refill Artemis's drink. "Good thing that defused," he said. "I was worried you were about to lay into each other. A lot of smashed bottles wouldn't make a good recommendation. Guess dragons don't hold their beer well," he joked, moving to give everyone a refill.
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Post by heebiejeebie on May 31, 2016 19:48:58 GMT
The noise of it all was a bit too much, the energy and the ever-present con heat and the faint air of sweat and something more acrid that lurked underneath it. She couldn't place what that was, but she had a headache from it and had forgotten her water bottle. Seeing the bar was its own relief, and she felt the pressure in her temples already letting up.
She looked over the crowd as she walked to the bar; the energy in here was even higher, leaning over into tension. Something about the way the boys were approaching the girls, or the way the girls were reacting to the boys, felt off. The thought occurred to her that she should keep an eye out if it seemed that anyone was in trouble; sometimes, her just stepping into a conversation could defuse it, which was something she felt very privileged with regard to.
But first, her headache.
She took a seat at one of the barstools, looking up at the chalkboard and the price lists. After a moment, she flagged the bartender.
"Excuse me, is that note right? Ladies get their first order free?"
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Post by midnightlapis on May 31, 2016 23:28:08 GMT
Shura pushed her own glass forward for a refill. "I've seen worse," she responded to Ormen's apology, waving him off nonchalantly. "You've been to one bar, you've been to 'em all."
Another woman had approached. The cautious part of her was glad they were outweighing the men. Strength in numbers in case one of them did try something. Granted, she wasn't sure how physically strong the others were, but Artemis at least seemed to know her way around a butterfly knife. In contrast, the logical part of her brain thought the skepticism was a bit much, especially towards the bartender. But was she being biased because he was a staff member, or because she'd gotten to know him a bit?
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begad
Junior Member
Posts: 93
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Post by begad on May 31, 2016 23:48:11 GMT
"Indeed they do," said Ormen to the newcomer, brushing some hair from his face. "What can I get for you my dear?" he asked, with a friendly smile, getting to chatting with Shura again. "Oh, I can agree with that. I've seen some strange sights doing bartending, and weirder with photographing. I suppose that in both cases people are often very worried with how they look - they either want to pick someone up, or look good for the camera. Vanity is a good lead for aggression I suppose."
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Post by heebiejeebie on Jun 1, 2016 0:46:14 GMT
Marta thought for only a few moments, or gave the appearance of thinking for a few moments; she had known what she wanted since before stepping into the bar.
"A dirty martini, please, and then a glass of water." The smile she gave him was warm and inviting. "I know it's supposed to be free, but I'd be very happy to tip you for any extra olives." Then, after looking out over the room, "It seems very busy here. Not in terms of how many drinks you're selling, but how much... energy there is in the place."
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Post by 1ring42 on Jun 1, 2016 1:06:40 GMT
"And I thought patrons preferred bars with a rough and rowdy atmosphere. Something about the exhilarating hint of danger in the air." Artemis smirked and accepted her refill before taking a drink. She heard the bartender's comment about vanity and aggression and turned back to him. "Aggression also leads to survival, so you're kinda shooting yourself in the foot with that attitude." She turned back to the newcomer and grinned. "Lady if you set off a shit ton of fireworks in a small space, of course it's going to be brimming with energy." She smirked and took another sip. "At least things are starting to die down a bit."
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begad
Junior Member
Posts: 93
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Post by begad on Jun 1, 2016 3:06:35 GMT
The bartender blinked at Artemis. "Well, I'll have to point out that it's strength that ensures survival. Aggression without strength to back it up is a one way ticket to hurt," he added, as he reached for the olive jar, eventually presenting the martini to Marta. "Your point about danger is an interesting one," added Ormen. "It's good to act as if everything is dangerous, really. Keeps you prepared, and keeps you living life like it matters."
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Post by masterdrake on Jun 1, 2016 17:43:19 GMT
Brianna finished her drink and leaned on the table.
"Well, that's one way to look at things. But I don't see a reason to provoke trouble where it doesn't need to be," she commented on the direction the conversation had taken.
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Post by heebiejeebie on Jun 1, 2016 18:28:43 GMT
"Mmm." Marta took a long sip of her martini—it was good, better than she had thought it would be, with the right balance between the vermouth and the olive brine—and watched the exchange between the other patrons and the bartender. She wouldn't have thought to interfere, preferring to people watch, except that the one woman had seen fit to bring her into it.
So, why not?
"Darling," she said to Artemis, "you are oversimplifying things. Aggression does not lead to survival. It's a single tool that we can use to our advantage, but it is not always applicable. I will grant you, there are times when you do need to," she stopped, fishing in the air for the word, still smiling, "take charge of a situation, but watchfulness, awareness, are the basis on which any situation management, dangerous or not, should be based."
She swiveled on her stool until she was facing Ormen, and leaned in close to him, resting her elbows on the bar and tracing one finger around the rim of her glass.
"Let's take our cute little bartender here. Do you have a little something you keep behind the counter, a bat or a baton or a gun, just in case patrons get too rowdy? If you do, or if you did, is it something you would use out of aggression or in thoughtful answer to a situation?"
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Post by 1ring42 on Jun 1, 2016 19:47:41 GMT
"Tell that to the honey badger and wolverine, or hell telling to fucking wasps. Nature shows us that small and aggressive beats big and strong nine times out of ten. Which is why sparrows, jays and even hummingbirds can drive eagles away from their turf." She smirked at the bartender, satisfied her point was made.
Artemis turned back to Bri and took a drink of her tea. "Hon there's a world of difference between letting guys know you aren't a doormat and provoking trouble. I was letting lizard lips know he couldn't just walk all over me."
The armored woman swiveled on her bar stool to face the other girl who seemed to want to lecture her. "And while aggression isn't the only tool for survival it's definitely the most potent. I refer back to my earlier examples from the natural world. Stand up for yourself and show some guts and you're life will be much simpler. That's why most bars and clubs have bouncers. They bring that element of 'Don't fuck with me.' that helps keep the patrons civilized." She took another drink of her tea, the speech had dried her throat out a bit.
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Post by peridot on Jun 2, 2016 3:51:39 GMT
Yuri happily accepted the Ramune, looking at her reflection in the bottle. She had waited long enough for this, and popped open the sweet drink, pushing the marble in. "Thank you~!" she said to the bartender, before taking a sip from her soda. It re-energized her, almost like a revival potion. She actually kind of liked hanging out in the bar. It was very lively, and had lots of yummy food and drink. She did plan to explore the rest of the con later on, however.
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begad
Junior Member
Posts: 93
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Post by begad on Jun 2, 2016 3:59:44 GMT
"Nah, this is just the hotel bar," chuckled Ormen, turning his attention to Marta for a moment - he seemed to be deep in conversation with Shura at the moment. "And I didn't get a gun with the work. I'm just doing this part time. I don't think the hotel really expects much in the way of violence," he continued, topping everyone's food and drink up. "I don't think they regularly have a bouncer here. Maybe you should apply for the position," he said to Artemis, teasingly.
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Post by thecountalucard on Jun 2, 2016 13:38:09 GMT
A man dressed in a scintillating cloak of feathers picks his way to the bar. A wooden hawk mask is flipped up to reveal a sharp-edged face with piercing blue eyes. He lays the cloak over one of the stools, revealing a bronze chest draped with necklace upon necklace, and arms barely visible under bangles and bracelets and chains. He hops onto the seat, setting the mask off to the side with a clack; over a dozen piercings adorn his ears and eyebrows. Surely all these adornments must be costume jewelry? What kind of fool would wear so much, and so much of it styled for women?
"I need to cool off," he says as he waves to the bartender. Jingle jangle jangle. "Got too warm out there." His voice is flute-like; he looks a little on the young side to be drinking. The breech-clout he wears does not look like it has room for an I.D., either.
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Post by 1ring42 on Jun 5, 2016 0:35:12 GMT
"Maybe I will." Artemis replied, taking a swig of her tea. "Though I doubt they'd take me, might scare away clientele." She grinned. However her eyes opened wide and a look of confusion crossed her face as the overly bejeweled figure approached.
"Where'd you come from? Blackbeard's pirate horde?" She was certain that this newcomer wouldn't be much of a threat, if he was even a monster at all.
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Post by thecountalucard on Jun 5, 2016 0:56:05 GMT
"Black-who?" The thunderbird cocks his head toward the girl, sizing her up. She has the hands of one who strives for battle, he thinks. She is no costumed pretender - her weapons are real enough. His interest is piqued, though he still hasn't decided whether he wants her as a lover, a meal, or a combatant.
"I don't think you've had the pleasure of meeting me yet," he says. "My name is Mountain Shrike, Lover of Battles, Taker of Lovers, Eater of Flesh, Glorious in His Resplendency…" Feel free to stop him short on this one, or he'll be a while.
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