Don’t threaten me with a good time [Open]

[Judah Marck]

The man hummed thoughtfully, eyeing Charlie. "Price doesn't really bother me, as long as it's a good drop and will get one suitably buzzed... I spent a fair bit of my life in Cali, so we'll go with that." He laughed as Mirella joined them, making her presence known. "Make that two, then... And no, Austin won't be tonight I don't believe, then again he may surprise us you never knew. He's on a trip, shouldn't be gone too long but it wasn't firm in terms of dates." His shoulders lifted in a nonchalant shrug, keeping that cheeky grin in place although he wanted to pout.

As Mirella slid the phone across the bar he glanced down, reading it with a furrowed brow. A long suffering sigh followed, arm lifting to take around Mirella's shoulders, lips finding her temple. "Firebug, it's fine. He's fine. Believe me, I understand worrying over the kids, but if I stressed every second about August i'd have white hair by now. Boys are a handful, it gets worse the older they get, you think it would be better when they are less fragile but it's just that they give you more to worry about. Trust me, you'll need to learn to relax a bit or you'll do yourself in. Take it from me... I may not be Daddy of the year, but I understand parental concern especially when you can't be with them 24/7."

[Mirella (DELETED 8125)]

Leaning her head on Jude's shoulder, Mirella swiped her phone back, typing back a quick text - Make sure he has enough to drink - before tucking the device into her shoulder bag. "He's the best thing in my life, and I can't be there for him," she whispered, the words intended for Judah alone. "The one thing I'm really ******* proud of."

Then, sitting up, she sniffled and blinked repeatedly. Blinking back the tears that threatened to ruin the evening. She took a deep breath, plastered on a big smile, and said, "You're right. Can't spend all my time worrying. Let's have some fun!"

But there wasn't much emotion behind the words. Empty shells. She was acting, and not doing a very good job of it, but it was better than moping.

[Hannah Lynn (DELETED 8242)]

ATTIRE

Hannah sat with her back to the arm rest of her gray colored couch, eyes on the television as she watched the weather girl predict the next few days in Harper Rock. She rolled her eyes at the words, 'chance,' because what did that even mean? There was a 'chance' it might rain in a couple days, but it all depended on certain factors. “The only profession where you get paid, wrong or right.” Hannah said as she stroked Amarillo, an orange and white cat that nestled itself between her and the back of the couch cushion. Hannah grabbed the silver remote and flipped through the channels before she pressed the cable button and then the button labeled 'TV.'

Silence consumed the apartment briefly before Hannah reached for her phone and accessed the page where she had a brief chat session with an unknown person, someone named JudeTheDude and 13Santos. There had been a mention about some place called Serpentines and Hannah more or less agreed to meeting them there, sometime this week. And since the week was almost over...now seemed to be the time. With a night off and nothing worth watching, tonight was a perfect night.

JudeTheDude: Hope you're there tonight. I'll be there in half an hour!

Hannah submitted the message, not knowing if he would see it or not, but if he didn't...she could sit, buy a drink or two and mingle with the locals. Who knew what they might know? What they could share with her about the city? Best places in town to eat. The best eye doctor, where not to go to get a cavity filled...things like that. Since she was going to be here a while...these were all things Hannah should know.

Hannah kicked her feet off the couch, and to the off white colored carpet in her living and dinning room area and headed for the bedroom. She pushed the various colored scrub tops and bottoms to the far left of the closet and started going through her regular clothing. Did people her age go to clubs? When was the last time she had been in a club? Last year? No. Definitely longer than that. Probably closer to two years when it was her sister's birthday. Hannah moved past the t-shirts, jeans and jean skirts and pulled out a 3/4th arm length, above the knee, one piece dress. Did it even fit her anymore? Hannah couldn't even remember the last time she wore the thing, but it was probably the only thing that would be appropriate. Unless they didn't mind some bright colored scrubs with a random scrub top-most of which were bears, a solid color, or two tops that were skeleanimal themed-a gift from her younger sister (that didn't get worn as much as the solid, plain Jane tops.

Hannah shrugged, tugged off her light purple camisole, followed by the same colored shorts, with some swishes of light blue, and yanked the dress over her head. She tossed out a pair of booted heels, and a scarf that almost matched the color of the majority of her dress and worked on wrapping it around her neck, while her feet slid inside the boots. Hannah bent over at the waist to zip the boots up, grabbed a purse and bolted out the door to her rental car. Once inside, she plugged the address into the GPS and was off.

The club wasn't all that far. Surprisingly not that far at all. The Yakuza seemed to place her in a busy district where she could access a lot of things quickly. Hannah parked the car a few blocks down and looked to see if JudeTheDude replied to her message yet, but didn't see a reply. Her shoulders rolled up into a shrug, as Hannah crossed the street and yanked out her identification card. After a thorough check, Hannah was slipping inside and sending another message.

JudeTheDude: If you're here, I am too. I'm the one standing out like a sore thumb.

Hannah his send, moved to the bar and grabbed a seat off to the right hand side.

[Charlie]

Charlie reached for a second glass without a word, noticing the change in demeanour that soon followed the woman’s request. It was with a subdued smile that she acknowledged Judah’s words regarding Austin; she knew better than to be hopeful. Jedi and herself had become close friends in the quiet hours shared at the flat.

Years of practice allowed the Scot to pour the two glasses of red wine without eavesdropping. Bartending required focused attention, but it was easy to drift what with the loud music and cacophonous rumble of conversation throughout the establishment.

Charlie returned the bottle to its rightful place and then set two coasters before them. “Renteria 2011 — Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley,” she announced, placing the glasses on each coaster. It was as she did this, that a young woman sat herself further down.

“That’s $11 per glass — $22 total,” she added, nodding peripherally at the newcomer, letting her know that she was aware of her presence.

[Judah Marck]

Popped a kiss to Mirella's head, noting the fake enthusiasm but pleased enough that she was giving it a shot, "That's my girl, chin up and try to have a good night out." While Charlie busied herself behind the bar he pulled out his own phone, checking it for anything exciting, peeking at the forum to see if anyone else was planning to join them, and to his surprise someone was. Charlie interrupted before he got a chance to look around, but he was quite happy to grin at her, grabbing out his wallet, brow raising. "You can leave the bottle, Charlie love, I think someone might need it tonight." His laughter was brief, concluded with an apologetic, puppy dog style pout in Mirella's direction, passing two $100 bills across the bartop. "If there is change, call a tip, we'll have a second bottle later or perhaps a shot or two once you're ready to join us."

Drinks seen to, for now, he rose from his seat, warm brown eyes flicking around the room until they fell on a woman taking a seat at the bar, looking alone and uncertain. "Gee..." Jude let his voice rise cheerily, enough to be overheard. "Does that lovely woman at the end of the bar appear somewhat reminiscent of a sore a thumb? I don't think so, but she might..." His cheeky announcement done with, alerting her to their presence, he closed the distance between them, presenting his hand. "I'm Jude, and i'm rather hoping you're Hannah, if not you're still welcome to join us and it's lovely to make your acquaintance."

[Hannah Lynn (DELETED 8242)]

A woman nods at Hannah and she just smiles back at her. If she came this way, Hannah would order something, but she seemed busy and Hannah was patient and could wait her turn. Not that she was a big drinker anyways, so she could afford to wait.

A man to the right makes a statement, loud enough to be heard and Hannah smiled just a little more. Jude was here and it had to be Jude. Or potentially some other person pretending to be Jude. Time would tell, but in a place like this, she was confident even if it was a creep, he wouldn't get very far. The place was bustling for a week day. He extended a hand and she took it, giving him a soft, but firm shake. "Yes, Hannah." She glanced around the bar to see if someone, more specifically Levi was here, because wouldn't that be awkward? He knew her as Heather and not Hannah and for a good reason too. Not seeing him, Hannah continued on with the conversation. "Us?" She glanced at the female that had nodded her head, and then the area he had just come from, seeing another woman. "I'd love to." Hannah slid off the stool and stood, eyes returning back to Jude. "What's the story on this place?" She asked, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ears as she took a small step in the direction of the 'us,' group.

[Mirella (DELETED 8125)]

Mirella noticed the puppy-dog-pout, gave a soft giggle, and jabbed her elbow at Jude, just playfully. Then, she lifted the glass and took a sip, licking her lips over and just sighing. "Damn, that's good stuff," she murmured, before shifting to watch Jude interact with the newcomer. Her eyebrows furrowed, but she shrugged it off, dismissing it as just Jude being social. She hadn't had a night out, properly, in a long time, and was simply...not used to things yet.

Still, she raised her glass as she was gazed upon.

[Judah Marck]

He clasped her hand between his, the confident shake of someone who clearly had to do it frequently in greeting, knowing just the right amount of pressure and length of time to ensure it wasn't weak or awkwardly intense. "Hannah, a pleasure to meet you." It was a practice in politeness to repeat the name, to ensure it was committed to memory, people loved hearing their own name repeated back to them. It made them feel important, he'd read that somewhere. "Us, yes, i'll introduce you."

Her question about the place made him chuckle, the man giving a shrug a face that said who knows? "Charlie works here, she's a total gem and it's nice to keep her company. Apparently there is a tattoo shop, and some kind of gym or rock climbing? I've only been here a few times, and spent most of my time chatting up the gorgeous barmaid." His laughter spoke of a private joke, though he shared it with her via a wink. Jude's grin lit up his features, he had an easy sort of manner, jovial and with a sort frenetic, infections energy. He gestured to the barmaid in question, "Miss Charlie, this is Hannah, another forum friend." He turned then to the woman with wine in hand, his smile softening upon her, "And this is Mirella, my darling cousin. Mirella, meet Hannah, she's new to town and joining us for a drink."

He offered her a seat beside his own, waiting to take his own once she was comfortable and lifted his glass of wine in a brief salute. "Welcome to town, prost!" He sipped it, giving a content sigh. "Do you drink wine? Perhaps something else? Charlie will no doubt be able to help you, she's wonderful."

[Charlie]

Charlie made her way to the register with the hundreds in tow. Setting up the tab was easy enough, from which she deducted the $22 for the two glasses and a $60 for the new bottle of wine. It wasn’t customary to give patrons at the bar a bottle of wine; it was a service reserved for those who took seat at the booths. But she knew Judah, and wouldn’t deny him the practicality. It made her life easier too, should nothing untoward come of it.

Reaching into the stores for a second, unopened bottle of the 2011 Renteria, Charlie vaguely followed the exchange between the newcomer and Judah’s party of two. It was evident that the man was accustomed to an audience, eager to foster a sense of community.

During introductions, while Charlie uncorked the new bottle, she flashed the stranger—Hannah—a smile. She resented Judah for introducing her as another forum friend. As of late, her online activities were a little less legal and a lot more illegal than some anonymous banter amongst strangers on a city forum. It didn’t bode well that he treat her online life so casually, but she willed herself to shake the annoyance and anxiety away; it wouldn’t be for them to know what she did outside her work hours.

She set the bottle down before them on another coaster, then turned to the stranger.
“What’s your poison, Hannah?”

Code: Select all

Please allow for 48 hours before skipping over someone. Thank you.
Please respect the new posting order: Charlie - Hannah - Mirella - Judah.

[Hannah Lynn (DELETED 8242)]

The mention of a gym and rock climbing place made the woman's pupils grow in diameter. The former not so exciting as the latter drawing her appeal and interest, but Hannah made no mention of being interested in either of those things. Other than a single word comment. "Interesting." A broad statement, but true. A bar that had those things was definitely interesting and something she would keep in mind, if the crowd was right and remained appealing.

At the mention of the barmaid, Hannah looked over to the bar where she glanced at the female a few seconds ago and smiled as Judah laughed. He gave the barmaid a name and the woman, who was apparently his cousin, both women receiving a small wave as a form of hello at the same time. "Sort of new. I've been here a few weeks but this is the first night I've managed to get away from work." She glanced at Judah as she said that, then at both women.

A seat was offered, one she took with a nod and smile before sliding into it and nodding her head. "Wine. Red or white as long as it's not dry." She smiled at Charlie, letting her know that she was open to whatever the woman picked, but held some slight restrictions when it came to the taste on one's pallet.