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[Setting] The Blue Lantern
| > At the moment, someone new was at the bar. A young ash blond haired woman dressed in a red kimono. Her soft teal gaze stuck to the holovid, with a serious expression. She was absorbed in watching the news about Downtown.
| >A small guest makes an entrance, a tiny brown haired girl clad in an almost jokingly oversized lab coat, a red button-up shirt beneath, stuffed into a pair of shorts so short the shirt simply comes out from their underside. the ensemble is completed by... are those Crocs?
>Two crooked horns grow out from the sides of her head, and a spindly tail swishes behind her as she walks towards the counter, proudly attached to it is some kind of armband, featuring a corporate logo.
| >The sound of a motorcycle shutting off can be heard close by. A few moments later, a large man walks into the bar. He's in what can only be described as traditional biker gear, minus a helmet and gun that should be in the holster hanging off of his left hip. His presence isn't easily ignored, but he walks softly towards the bar.
> He takes his seat and turns his attention to the news, seemingly also interested in the happenings in downtown
| >>978065 >>978066
> The red kimono'd woman turned her head toward the entry of the pair. She carefully minded the state of her hair and wiped the concerned look from her expression. Overwhelming warmth came to her features.
"My apologies, Good patrons! My name is Kureha. What can I interest you in? We have a wide variety of sake locally brewed and shipped. Our chef Kyogoku is skilled in all Eastern cusine and can offer you any taste of our home you'd like..."
| >>978067
"'S fine. I'll jus' take a dry hot sake. I need somethin' to get my blood goin'. Long night ahead of all of, i reckon."
> He speaks in a noticeable drawl. His attention is cleanly divided between the woman and the news, but still keeps his eyes on Kureha
"Nice to meet you Kureha. You can call me..... Benjamin. Ben, for short. Sounds better"
> "Ben" at least gives a genuine smile as he says his name
| >>978067
>The walking offense to sizing guides everywhere takes a counter seat, not too close to 'Ben' but close enough as if to say 'I don't mind being social'
"Oh, pleasure to meetcha Kureha! I'll take a cup of hot sake, cheapest one ya got."
>She waves, her voice is pleasant and surprisingly deep for such a... tiny person.
| >>978069
"A pleasure, Ben. Just a moment."
> Kureha turned to pull one of the many sake bottles off the shelf. 'Autumn Grove - Mountain Deity' was its name and branding. It seemed its scent was just as impressive as its name. Once she warmed the sake its strong fragrance split the air. It was spicy, emboldened by an interestingly smoky, rugged scent that *would* remind one of a campfire within a mountain forest had they ever been.
> Soon this sake would be poured for 'Ben'.
| >>978075
>After she'd served the gentleman she set aside the white tokkuri for him to refill his warm sake with. Then she nodded to the woman and went on to obtain the next bottle and warm the next substance to be enjoyed. Another 'Autumn Grove - Deep Rain', an older bottle too, from the looks of it. Like its brother 'Deep Rain' was a strong brew, but it wasn't as refined.
> The scent was more citrusy and clean---brining to mind of rain in the same season and maybe locale.
| > Kureha saw that both had their respective sake bowls filled and tokkuri to accompany them, should they want more of the livid brews they'd requested.
"Please enjoy."
| >>978081
"Thanks, doll"
> Ben takes the cup and raises it before tapping it against the countertop. Definitely NOT tradition where sake comes from, but a tradition he grew up with. He takes note of the small woman next to him and decides that, since they're both there together, he might as well include her too.
>>978075
"Cheers, little lady. Can't be drinkin' alone on this kinda night, don't y'think?"
> His voice, while deep and coarse, sounded warm. He means no harm.
| >>978087
"Oh! thanks for that missy, I'll make sure to enjoy it!"
>The little one says, smiling widely, there's a warm glint in her eyes, an honest to goodness expression of happiness. She's /already/ having a great time.
>>978090
"Hahaha! Of course, of course! Drinking with someone is just the remedy we need what with all the pessimism going around!"
>She scoots over, settling herself on the chair next to you, she lifts her glass and tilts it, her tail tilts with it
"Cheers!"
| >>978090 >>978095
> Kureha smiled at them both again and returned her gaze toward the TV at the mention of breaking news. A little sigh left her lips and her eyes slipped back to the pair as they rose their cups and fought off the darkness of the night. She couldn't help agreeing with them...but Glitch City didn't have that option in its entirety.
| > Finally the ash blond woman sat on her raised cushion and flicked her wrist to multiply the news screens. She let each hologram switch to a different channel and nullified the volume entirely. Then she switched on 'Interaction', so that if either of the patrons were watching a particular screen they could tune in via cyberbrain. Elsewise they'd just have to read the CC or watch the bottom scroll.
"Hopefully it won't last."
| >>978095
> Ben drinks down his Sake, letting out a content sigh as he finishes. His attention drifts away from the TV and the commotion of downtown to focus briefly on his cell phone. He taps the screen and seems to be highly focused on something before focusing back on the space he was in
>>978097
"Better to keep the news off. Reckon people 'round these parts ain't happy with what's goin' on. I know I wasn't when i decided to come back here for a spell"
| >>978097
>The small brunette nods
"Indeed, I'd hate for this situation to endure!"
>She says, downing her own cup before sighing in delight.
"It is a large annoyance, I came to Glitch City hoping to close a deal and now here I am, stuck! I haven't had a day off in a week, I've been working my >>>Tail off!"
>The tail in question wiggles, drawing curls behind her as she complains
| >>978099 >>978101
"Mm. You are correct. May cause problems for immigrants this incident."
> Kureha's light colored lashes shaded her eyes in thought and she turned to pour herself a cup of warm sake as well. Hers far sweeter and more flowery in fragrance than what the other two drank. She sipped her cup and gazed down at it.
"That said...I hope you both have a better time here. Glitch City has its moments of good also. May you see them sooner than later..."
| > Kureha looked to the petite brunette and smiled in faint amusement.
" Where are you from? Both of you, actually?"
| >>978103
"Oh? Me? I'm from Sur-la-Clef, the Mega-city in Greece? Owned by the Fairweather corporation, born in Malta though! So I'm far from home! Despite the err... well the problems here, it's been fun!"
>She answers, eyeing the waitress' sake cup with curiosity; so they let the staff drink on the job? That's novel! She liked it!
"Spent a lot of time in Hotels though! And they get boring so here I am... you mentioned food earlier by the by?"
>She smiles
"I could go for that"
| "AH! It appears it is my time!"
>Kyogoku's voice booms---and more importantly scares the life out of Kureha to the point where she scrambles to avoid dropping her sake cup. The thing was, the massive, muscle bound, beast of a man had appeared out of nowhere as if summoned by the mere *idea* of food being served. His long, wild, dark purple mane sways back and forth as if made alive by ki radiating from his person.
"What food do you desire, Madam of Sur-La-Clef?I SHALL SERVE YOU.">>978104
| > Kureha very subtly clapped her hands together in apology to the lady patron. Most people who weren't use to Kyogoku tended to require a moment to adjust.
| >>978105
>The girl's eyes light up like a thousand fireworks, showing barely contained mirth, coloring her whole countenance.
>She claps her hands together when the man has appeared, her tail shakes with joy.
>Now she's really glad she came here, this is next level service already... or maybe she wasn't hard to please? Or her horns weren't screwed all the way in...
"Hahahaha! Well aren't you eager! Indeed I would have your cooking, Chef's choice, impress me!"
| >>978103
"Where am I from? I'm from New Chicago. I wa'n't born there, but it's where I grew up. Got the drawl from my momma and dad, since they was from Texas. Nice mega-city. Cold. O' Course, given how things are in the Lakes, I'm used to all of *this* goin' on 'round here"
> Ben gives a large gesture, spreading his arms out as if covering the whole of GC. For a man of his stature, he looks surprisingly agile
| >>978107
> BAM! Kyogoku's massive hands slap into the counter. His visage hidden under the shade of his wild locks. His muscular body lifts slowly and he towers over the bar like some kind of manly monolith. Then he slowly stalks with a rhythmic, slow, thump to the kitchen. Only stopping once he's at the doors.
"You desire to be impressed? Consider this...A CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!"
| > His body arcs forward and he superman dives into the kitchen. The doors blast open from the sheer force of his entry. A new pair of dents for the collection, and scuff marks on the floor from his bound forward.
"Kyogoku?--Qait what's that look? OH NO WAIT WAIT WAIT--"
>>978156
> Kureha, pressed against the counter by her own astonishment glances toward 'Ben' awkwardly and smiles with a twitch in her expression.
| > While awkwardly side glancing at the flames, wild laughter, and yelps of terror going on from the double doors from the left side of the bar, she laughed awkwardly and tried to continue on calmly.
"W-Well...That's good. At least it's no surprise to you and I bet that means you're well armored and able enough to keep yourself from trouble. Oh! Uh...would either of you like a refill of your sake?"
| >>978163
> He seems unaffected by the awkwardness and chaos. There's a confidence to him
"I ain't one to start fights; i jus' end them. I'll take anotha drink though. Thank you. Dunno when my friend is gonna be done with her little outin' tonite. I got nothin' else to do, 'cept maybe get a bite t' eat"
| >>978165
"Ah...Well for the sake of not bothering Kyogoku-sensei, do you have anything in particular you like? If you're a fan of noodles we have a pretty large menu."
> She smiled and tried to calm down and focus on working. She'd also take a sip of her sake and sigh gently as some of the edge was taken off of the situation.
| >>978173
"Hmm.... noodles... Y'all got that Tone-Katss-oo kind? I got put on to it by a friend of a friend. Dunno if I even pronounced that right. Apologies, if I did."
> He keeps his focus softly on Kureha. He's trying to inspire some confidence in her, or at least ease.
| >>978161 >>978162
>The girl guffaws, slapping her knees with a bright smile on her face.
"Oh! I see the people of Glitch City really know how to liven up a place! I'll be expecting the best! Hahahaha!"
>In a fluid motion, the girl brings both of her feet together, sitting cross legged on top of her seat while holding it's rim with both hands
"I'll have another drink of course!"
>>978156
"New Chicago is it? Ehh, Can't say I've been"
>She speaks to Ben; knitting her brow slightly
| >>978182 >>978192
"Tonkotsu?"
>Kureha questioned curiously. Around this time Kyogoku returned from the kitchen and placed a rice bowl in front of the girl, just as Kureha was in the middle of heading and pouring her a new tokkuri of her Deep Rain sake. This particular rice bowl contained deep fried tonkatsu, simmered in tsuyu with onion and egg. Sheened in golden brown and offering a savory presence that immediately stimulates the stomach on both sight and scent.
| >>978208
>The girl looked down at the bowl, her mouth watering as she took in the sight and smell
"Ohhh~! Jeez this smell delicious! All I've been eating has been fancy hotel fare; I was seriously missing this savory food!"
>She takes hold of her chopsticks clumsily, digging in after a quick offering of grace, quiet.
"Woah! This is some good food!"
>She exclaims, after gulping down a bite; she obviously means it too.
| >>978208
"Yeah! The one made of pork bones, right? It's good eatin'"
>>978192
"New Chi ain't much to talk about, I think. Good fishin' on Lake Michigan. Some even better food. I ain't a mariner though. I rather stay on solid ground"
> He speaks plainly. He does seem to be measuring his words though. He clearly has thought this through
| "Man~! see this is what I'm all about, lotsa stick in the mud don't get the appeal of simple, tasty food; I've been saying it for years, but I /can't/ live just on fancy French fare!!"
>She laughs, eating and griping as she empties her sake cup
"Another Missy!"
| >>978212
"Oh? I'd heard pollution in the lake was really bad since a while?"
>She scratches the back of her head, fish eh? it'd been a while since she ate any.
"You guys serve Sashimi here? I'd like a plate for me and my friend!"
>She smiles at Ben
"You may not be a mariner, but surely you can appreciate a good bounty of the sea; my treat!"
| >>978213 >>978212
"Hah! Another victory! Eat well, Madam of Sur-La-Clef! Let Kyogoku see your hunger fade-way in the presence of superior food! Sashimi? Good choice! I'll dice for you our greatest fa--"
"Ah~. Kyogoku-sensei, why don't we switch places. I will happily exchange for you Ben-san's Tonkotsu Ramen, the madam's House Sashimi. We can give Shigeo-chan a rest out here in the cool air, hm?"
>Kureha offered this with a smile and Kyogoku relented with a bit of resistance.
| > After a moment of silence between the two Kyogoku smiled and nodded once. Then the burly chef and lithe beauty wandered into the back to cook....which then exploded into yet another fiery blast of flames licking the kitchen doors.
"AHAHAHAHAH! KUREHA-CHAN, LET US UNLEASH OUR CULINARY MIGHT UPON THESE PEOPLE AND HAVE THEIR PRAISE SUNG TO THE HEAVENS!"
"Kyogoku-sensei! I WILL DEFEND THE BLUE LANTERN NAME! BEHOLD! HANEKAWA STYLE : TSUBAME GAESHI!!"
> *SHIIIIIIIIIIIING!!*
| > Shigeo stumbled out of the insanity and swiftly got to his feet slamming the kitchen doors behind him. He gazed at the pair at the counter and smiled awkwardly while trying to wipe his brow. Then the blue Yukata clad, dark haired cat boomer wandered over and poured the little lady her next tokkuri of Deep Rain. Then looked to the pair...
"Th-they'll have your food ready i-in a moment."
| >>978223
"Oh! They've got passion don't they! That's good to see! Man~ I'm glad I found this place; I'm feeling comfortable now."
>She sips on her newly poured drink, pulling down the oversized lab coat so that her hands could better grip the cup.
"Ahh~ Tastes lie heaven, there's a little something about cheap booze that just hits the spot~!"
>She pauses for a beat
"Not calling you guys cheap mind you"
>She gives an awkward smile, maybe she said too much?
| >>978215
"naw the water's been better. I rememb'r growin' up it was more risky but it's been better. I appreciate the little treat too. You know how to make an old man feel good about hisself"
> Ben gives a hearty laugh and smile. How old was he? It was very hard to tell, and his short groomed hair made it harder to really even guess based on grey
| >>978225
"Eheh...Not to worry. B-Because of Ryougi-dono's beliefs, we don't simply make food for the upperclass."
>Shigeo admitted this while gazing down and fidgeting with his hands.
"'Food is a human pleasure. We shouldn't just make it for people because there a little popular or have two more coins than the other man.' H-Heh...That's how she said it. It gives me chills every time I-I think about it."
| ( they're* )
| >>978226
"Hey, cheers to that then!"
>The girl lifts her cup slightly, her tail follows the motion
"Sorry for asking, but how far back was 'when you were growing up'?"
| >A new patron enters the bar -- a young woman, probably in her mid-20s, clad in a khaki trenchcoat with braided blonde hair. She takes a look around for a moment, before finally making her way to the counter with quick, confident steps, and finding herself a seat within earshot of the rest of the patrons.
| >>978226 >>978236
>Kureha returned from the kitchen with a collection of orders.
"Tonkotsu Ramen for Ben-san~. House Sashimi for him and his friend, by the way what do we call you, Madam?"
>She sat down a beautiful specimen of tonkotsu. The scent of fresh soup stock of multiple savory flavors was the first scent that connected, matched by the twang of heated pickled mushrooms and the appetizing sizzle of sliced chashu. A large serving that was *apparently* standard.
| >The next plate was placed on the barcounter between them, a large beautiful array shaped like a lotus flower, of beautifully sliced, silky, real salmon. The scent of citrus and soy sauce, expertly cubed fresh jalapeno, and roasted sesame cased after the visual.
>>978255
> After she served the food she glanced up and smiled.
"Welcome to the Blue Lantern, how may I serve you?"
| > As she was speaking another woman dressed for edgerunning ducked down the stairs from the VIP rooms. Silverheaded and wolf cut, she glanced at Kureha, slipped by snatching up the other plates : one Shio Ramen and Kyogoku's famous Mapo Tofu. Then she contained them in a special stasis bag to keep them perfectly fresh. The woman disappeared into the night afterward. Kureha called after...
"Be safe, Ren!"
| >>978284
"Well, for a start, how about your name to go with your pretty face, oh, and I would *love* to have some rice with a side your smile, if that is on the menu."
>The woman in the trenchcoat answers, a light British accent in her voice and a sly grin on her face, which she holds for a moment more before continuing.
"I was joking, of course, apart from the name thing, but if I can have some teriyaki chicken on rice and a nice, hot cup of sake, I would be a happy woman."
| (ooc: off topic sorry, just had to post here in order to show off this nearly perfect ID~)
| >>978308
> The ash blond laughed and smiled regardless.
"Haha~. Of course. One teriyaki chicken donburi coming right up~. Do you have a preference for the hot sake?"
>As she was speaking she wandered back behind the barcounter to tend to the other patrons. She'd pour their next tokkuri, seeing that they'd done some deep drinking already.
" My name is Kureha, by the way. You are?"
( ooc : lmao Nice! )
| >>978279
"Oh! I did forget to name myself didn't I? Please call me Abigail, Abigail Micallef, at your service! Or wait... are you guys at my service?"
>She leans into the counter, staring at the sashimi with enrpatured eyes, Nodding to herself
"Well, whichever it is! This looks gorgeous; lemme snap a few pictures..."
>Her eyes begin glowing slightly as she looks at the plate from a few angles
| >>978318
"Haha... We'd be at your service in this scenario."
>Kureha was fairly quick. In a matter of minutes she'd return with a wonderful composition of golden, garlic infused, teriyaki soaked chicken breast all diced over a bed of fluffy white rice. This was arranged with very fine, string cut, steamed carrots over, also steamed halves of broccoli layered over each other on the left side.
| >Finally Kureha poured a tokkuri of Lily Hollow Rice Wine at notable temperature. It's rich, sweetness meant to pair with the meal.
"Please enjoy, Abigail."
| >>978236
"How far back, huh..."
> he rubs his chin, attempting to seem more sagely than he really is
"'Bout near some 30 years ago? That sounds in the ball park. Haven't been back lately, but i wanna head over 'for the weather gets real cold."
>>978279
"Thank ya. This is something that'll help me get the strength imma need tonite"
| >>978338
"I guess that's fair enough! Here's to your great service!"
>She lifts up her cup, before drinking it down in a single motion; her hands are meanwhile busying themselves with grabbing hold of a slice of fish, which as soon as the sake cup leaves her lips, is rapidly inserted within
>She bites down and closes her eyes, relishing the flavor with her whole body; trembling.
"--Oh~! Oh now this-- This is good!"
| >>978350
"Thirty years ago? I'd just been born! that makes you my senior then; Tradition dictates I treat you good, please have some of this fish-- it's amazing how simple cuts like these can taste so good!"
>The girl laughs out loud, closing her eyes
| >>978350 >>978362
> Kureha bows politely to the pair and turns back toward the holo-screens to note the updates coming through. That's when the sound of a woman throwing every curse she can think of in Kansai kicked the door open and dropped into one of the booths.
"...Delivery didn't go so well, Ren?"
"Gonk tried to order ramen to the fucking warzone!"
>Ren swore before opening the stasis pack and pulling out the ramen in question. She then started *eating it* right there.
| "Ren! That's a customer's!"
"Not anymore...*slurp* I credited him back with my own money. *slurp.* Drekhead can go to hell."
| >>978315
"Elise, nice to meet you, Kureha."
>The woman in the trench-coat replies with a friendly smile that turns back to the sly, teasing one as she continues.
"For the drinks, I'll take anything you recommend, lovely."
| >>978426
> Hilariously the order here is meant for Elise :>>978338 , The Lily Hollow was still given to Abigail, but Kureha'll also be pouring that for Elise as well. Apologies for the mixup~. Ask in discord for anything that needs clearing.
"Then I suggest this. It is called Lily Hollow. Very sweet sake that goes well with the kind of rice bowl you've ordered."
| >>978427
"Still not the sweetest thing in the room here, I'd say."
>Elise immediately quips back, almost out of reflex as she takes the rice bowl.
"But I'll take it."
| >>978428
>Kureha laughed lightly at the constant stream of teasing she seemed to be the focus of. She partially bows toward her with a rather calm atmosphere.
"I wonder if that's the case...Hopefully you enjoy your meal. Aside from present events have things been well so far for you, Elise-san? It seems Glitch City has found its next crisis."
> She turned to look back toward the holoscreens again and watched the new reports of fires. A look of concern washed across her expression.
| >>978433
"Compliments to the chef. This is very good."
>Elise replies in between bites as she starts digging into the rice bowl.
"Crisis, that's an apt way of putting it. I've got a couple friends in the district when the bomb went off. Some bloody timing, that is."
>She shakes her head a little as she replies.
| >>978448
>Kureha's brows knit softly in concern. She slowly sat down in front of Elise glancing again at the news and back.
"...Do you know if they're okay or not?"
> Ren across the room finishes up the Shio Ramen she'd spitefully started eating. Hearing the conversation across the way she turns to listen very carefully.
| >>978362
"Naw naw. Just treat me like i'm some nobody. I kinda am now on a counta I'm retired these days."
> He puts some weird emphasis on retired. Sounds like he is tired and no longer working in some way.
| >Another woman walks into the bar, a catboomer dressed in fashionable clothing with long straight black hair hanging all the way down to her waist. The girl speaking on the phone as she enters the establishment
"J-just...!"
>She stops in place, Face contorted into a pout, rolling her eyes on multiple occasions.
"Look! I don't expect what you want me to do about it, How was *I* supposed to know people were just gonna start... uhh shooting each other downtown?!"
| >>978546
>She's silent again, the disdain washing over her face forming a visible pout.
"Fearing for your *LIFE?!* I mean this with all due respect, You're in a penthouse on the opposite side of town! The only person in any danger is the bellhop moving your shit up there!"
>Another pause, getting angrier still.
"*YOU DIDN'T TIP HIM?!*"
"Whatever, I've had enough... Welcome to GC, hun!~ *Click*"
>She makes her way up to the bar and plants her head on the counter, groaning.
| >>978546
> Kureha looks up at the sound of someone on the phone and smiles sheepishly to herself at the conversation. She waits until the woman's good and comfortable at the counter and walks over. She looks to Elise and gives her an apologetic look before minding her new customer.
"Welcome to the Blue Lantern, I'm Kureha, what can I do for you, Miss...?"
| >>978548
>The catboomer with her head firmly involved in a committed relationship with the counter in front of her mumbles back.
"Liquor... something nice please...!"
>Her eyes pop open and her eyes look around the bar, her energy is still low but she appears to be smiling now.
"Nice place. How long you been at this?"
| >>978550
> Kureha smiled and moved to pour the catboomer a warm sake cup of Clear Sky. Basically a sake meant for sipping. It had a gentle fragrance and gentle flavor that blossomed in its after-taste. This one in particular might remind her of fresh sliced apple in liquid form.
"Here you are, Ma'am...Ah? I've been working her for a few months now. I'm relatively new compared to everyone else."
| >>978487
"They're doing alright, now, thankfully. Got out just in time before the other stuff hits the fan."
>Elise answers, looking at the screen.
"Could be much worse, honestly, considering what a complete shitshow this all turns out to be."
| >>978555
"Ah. Good...Hopefully no more will come after this...but somehow I doubt that."
>Kureha sighed glancing over at Elise and then also back at the news.
"Actually I get a really bad feeling."
| >>978580
"This city's never out of bad things to throw at us, chum."
>Elise says, her grin returning as she takes a sip of her sake.
"You weren't kidding, this really is sweet."
| >>978583
> Ren finally got up from her booth and wandered over to the car counter with everyon else. She'd sit down next to Elise and signaled Kureha that she'd like to try the sake herself. After the ash blond server provided, she smiled to Elise.
"Hopefully not too sweet? Does it work for you?"
| >>978553
>The catboomer perks up, now sitting upright and grasping the warm cup of sake gingerly with both hands; taking a sip.
"Ah, thank you. Clear Sky, huh?"
>She chuckles to herself.
"It's been awhile since I've had warm sake. It's... very comforting."
>She places an elbow on the bar, resting her chin in her hand, a content smile forming on her face.
"Well, you're doing a great job Kureha~! I'm glad I wandered in here. I needed to get away for awhile."
| >>978587
"Oh, not at all. I quite enjoyed it."
>Elise replies, turning to her newfound companion.
"My, aren't you geared up for a run. I would love to hear what you've seen... or done."
| >>978603
> Kureha smiles toward the catboomer and nods once.
"Thank you! Honestly it's been a wonderful time working for Blue Lantern and I'm glad I'm able to extend that comfort to you. Do you feel like you need anything to eat also?"
>Ren glanced at Elise and shrugged simply.
"I just got back from deliveries. Some douchecanoe ordered shio to DT and a guy got stuck in a portapoddy..."
> She trails off and shakes her head.
| >>978609
"Sheesh, sounds like a rough day. How's the district looking?"
>She asks, looking Ren up and down.
"You don't need to answer that, if you don't want to."
| >>978508
>Abigail grins, showing off her pearly whites
"To your retirement then, lemme just have an excuse to offer you something good!"
>She chuckles
| >>978697
"...Like alotta people are gonna be homeless."
> Ren grumbled. Her head tilted downward to give shade to her deep blue eyes and hide her face a bit.
"The collateral in the part of DT I was in was pretty high. There were a lot of dead mangled in between...Honestly I credited the guy and beat it. Told him he could come pick his shit up if he wanted it so bad, then ate what I didn't deliver, because was a clown about it."
>Kureha huffed at that, but didn't say anything.
| >>978609
>The catboomer nods in affirmation now sitting up.
"That's exactly how I felt back when I used to tend bar back home! I hope you always have that feeling, the paycheck and the tips are the real reward-- but that, *that* gets you out of bed in the morning!"
>The catboomer thinks for a moment, tilting her head from side to side, does she want to eat?
"Mmmmm.... I really shouldn't..."
>Beat
"What do you have?"
| >>978738
>Kureha giggles and moves to pull a *very detailed and esoteric menu* from the aether. She'll find she can move across it with the flick of a wrist and there's *a lot* to select from.
"Natually Kyogoku's one of the best chefs in Glitch City, so we can do pretty much anything. Our focus is Japanese and chinese cuisine. The donburi have been pretty popular lately, but our specialties are mapo-tofu, our ramen menu, and indian curry."
| >>978707
"That bad, huh."
>She snorts a bit when Ren mentions eating the ramen she didn't deliver.
"Well, I don't think the guy would want to have a cold ramen anyway, after going through the end of the world to get here, so you probably did the right thing."
>She turns and gives Kureha a wink as she continues speaking.
"I sure this beauty over here can cook up another one in no time."
| >>978705
> Ben loosens up. He eats some of the soup, clearly just eating it to have something to eat, not necessarily because he was hungry. The words about toasting to his retirement warmed his heart a little though. This girl reminded him of someone special, so he figured it was time to do something that she Would do
> He slams his hand on the bar top. It was a miracle that he didn't crack the wood. His voice boomed.
"ROUND OF SHOTS FOR THE HOUSE. ON ME. ONE FOR EVERYONE. NOW."
| >>978775 >>978775
> The house pretty much burst into cheers. Turned out there was more in here than people realized. Kureha laughed and sighed before looking to Elise
"Looks like I'll be serving a round of shots first. Okay everyone! Shot selection default is Autumn Grove's Mountain Deity. If you want something different check the sake menu and let us know! Shigeo-chan, Ren-chan, could you both help me cover the house?"
> Ren got up and nodded once before looking to Elise.
| "You finishing that tokkuri off or would you like a different shot to go with it?"
> In the background Shigeo quickly picked up a few bottles and started preparing shots for everyone that held their hands up for service. He'd also be scrambling to do other mixed drinks. Looks like the Lantern didn't just serve sake and he was quite the mixologist.
| >>978775 >>978943 >>978944
"Someone's in a good mood."
>Elise turns her head to look at the jolly older man for a moment, commenting before she turns back to shrug in answer to Ren's question.
"Hey, free drink's a free drink, chum. If the man's feeling generous, then I'm not going to ruin his mood. Go on, hit me. Whatever you think is good is fine for me."
| >>978775
>Abigail looks surprised at the outburst, she knits her brow for an instant but then relaxes and gives a gigantic smile
"O-Ooh! Well, I'm not one to refuse kindness you know! I'll have Tequila if you have it!"
>She picked another strip of fish and laid it into her mouth, enjoying the taste
"Hahaha! This is turning out to be a good night!"
| >Another client enters the Blue Lantern, spinning a key around their finger for a few turns before slipping it deftly into the pocket of a short and tastefuly red jacket.
>A girl, with long white hair, and grey eyes; wearing tight fitting white yoga pants, reaching above her waist-line and stomach, over which is draped a crop-top hoodie. The print of a whiskey company's logo adorns its front.
>Falschen walks to the counter, hailing the person behind it
"Heya!"
|
| >>978970 >>979033 >>979471
"Whatever I think is fine for you, huh?" >Ren turned to look at the bottles on the rack. Eventually a very rich, powerful genshu was chosen for Elise. The scent of it was strong enough to make a statement, it burned of cinammon and a smokey plum-like aroma. She placed a dish of that in front of her and half smiled.
"Go on, then."
> Her eyes flicked upward and noted Falschen.
"Came sooner than I thought. What can Blue Lantern do for you?"
| > Meanwhile Kureha poured Abigail a shot of Tequila.
"A good night indeed! A busy night is a great one these days. Here's to Blue Lantern's regularity~."
> She then smiled at Ben for his gesture. It was kind.
| >>979829
>Abigail lifted the shot, relflecting light; the fluid of life within shone brightly, the stuff of dreams, builder of all courage: "ὕδωρ ζωῆς"
>She smiled.
"Here's to the world, and this bar, and kindness!"
>She takes the shot, letting it settle, burning her mouth before swallowing it.
>Feels good!
| >>979828
>Falschen sat down at the counter, rolling her shoulders back before leaning her elbows into the counter, she looked at Ren with a smile. Falschen's beauty was like that of a fleeting flower, she looked ephemeral, like a summer haze given a sickly form, her gray eyes focused into your own, a clumsy smile on her face.
"Eh, well y'know what they say right? Early bird and all that"
>She winks
| >>979828
>Elise accepts the liquor and takes in the smell.
"Hmm, strong and spicy, like certain somebody here..."
>She says with another grin, before taking a sip.
"I like it."
This thread is permanently archived
| >A familiar place, a scene known by many in Glitch City. A beautiful example of Old Neo Tokyo rendered within Uptown. A bar where blue kitsunebi hologram flames flickered about the environment.
>The Blue Lantern Bar, is and has always been the premiere izakaya of the city and once again its doors open. Luxurious in its appearance, classical in its tradition, even with the bar mandatory adds floating seamlessly about the sea of blue flame.