#34 - Temporary Hotel at Smoke's

[inthecenterfold]

I really didn't believe it yesterday which is why I waited but... looks like my bar is safe from this "can't get in your house" effect. Lucky me~

But lucky for you guys too! Because I've got at least four good beds and a few couches too - long enough for some people to sleep in anyway. For the really desperate there's some cushy chairs as well.

So how 'bout it? Anybody sick of camping out?

Comments

[beat-da-button.livejournal.com]

ME!

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

Haha, hey there again! Don't think we've met in person yet, but it was uh... Skulls right?

[beat-da-button.livejournal.com]

Yeah, an' right now I'm freezin' m'ass off, man.

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

Well first come first served, man.

[beat-da-button.livejournal.com]

On m'way.

[moe-rapier.livejournal.com]

We don't know how long it will last... would you be able to handle the full house for an extended period?

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

Well aside from the fact that the bar's open in the evenings, I don't see why not. People do more with their day than sleep, and the couches & chairs I mentioned are on the second floor - so I could just close that area off.

[moe-rapier.livejournal.com]

Looks like you've got everything covered, then. I was hoping you might need some extra help... I really need the distraction.

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

Extra help? With what exactly?

[moe-rapier.livejournal.com]

Anything at all, really, considering the extra bodies might have your staff running about at double the speed.

It's all right, nevermind.

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

But you said you needed a distraction, right? I don't mind. There's cleaning, or helping in the kitchen, or restocking... Any of that?

[moe-rapier.livejournal.com]

I've been taking up cooking as a hobby. Helping in the kitchen might have me learn a thing or two!

I could just as well hop around doing all three if required.

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

Why do you need a distraction, if you don't mind my asking?

[moe-rapier.livejournal.com]

There's just a lot on my mind lately. I'd rather not get into it over pen and paper.

"i hate seeing pretty girls cry" <-- his own darn fault

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

Fair enough. Well come by the bar whenever you feel like - we can talk there too, or I'll just drop it.

[moe-rapier.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I really appreciate this. I'll be by shortly.

Quicklog!

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

[Smoke was prepping beds in the Break Room, not trying to disguise the noise - we'll assume Skulls is in the Break Room already - and comes out as she enters]

Uh... hi can I help you?

Quicklog!

[moe-rapier.livejournal.com]

[She'd stepped in quietly, just unzipping her coat. The bar was nice and warm, and a jacket would just overheat her a little. She straightened up immediately when he found her, a hand extended.]

Smoke? I'm Locket. I was the one who wanted to clear her head a bit... I can get started right away if you so wish.

Re: Quicklog!

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

Oh! [He was expecting a woman and vaguely remembered her picture from the auction, but not that she was all metal-y]

Hi Locket - nice to meet you. You don't have to get started right away... if you wanted to talk.

[He points to his ear while leaning against the bar] I'mma good listener.

Re: Quicklog!

[moe-rapier.livejournal.com]

[Sorry to disappoint beep beep boop. She had a quick look around as she took a seat at the bar, all ready noting spots she could attack with a dust cloth and some polish. She'd get to that after... well.]

It's really nice in here! If you tell me you can mix up something like a Chocolate Snowball, you've made me into another regular.

[Locket laughed quietly, wondering if it was a night for something like that... her mind quickly decided it was. With a slow sigh, she shook her head.]

All right, here goes! ...So, I don't have too many friends. I don't know why, but that's not what bothers me. Some of my friends are male, and I invited one to play Twister. It was innocent, I swear!

[She quickly confirmed the last bit with a wave of a hand and her face reddening.]

I just... like the game... but I made his friend angry. I think she likes him a lot, but doesn't really know it. I ticked her off pretty good, and I feel absolutely awful.

Re: Quicklog!

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

Let's see... I can at least try! Snowball usually means coconut rum and hazelnut... chocolate and cream... Let's go for Bailey's since I've got a lot of that in stock. So some chocolate shavings - got a lot of that too - and a bit of chocolate syrup... Aaaand... [Shakes it up in the metal containers with some crushed ice, then pours it into a glass for her]

Try that and let me know! In the meantime...

[More serious face now] Twister game, huh? I remember seeing that when I talked to Moon about it... Kiba and Kaza, right? You invited Kiba to play, I guess? And now Kazahana's mad at you?

Re: Quicklog!

[moe-rapier.livejournal.com]

[Locket leaned forward on the bar, watching the mixing procedure curiously. She'd never really seen these things made before... not from what she could remember. When it was poured out and passed to her, she nodded and gave it a try. The glass was set down gently, eyes closed (well, the one that wasn't always covered by her bangs) and a smile spreading over her face.]

Oh, yes, that's it. You've won me over... thank you so much!

[Her fingers gently drummed over the glass as she nodded.] Yes, that exact incident. Kiba's a friend of mine, so I figured it'd be fun. I mean no ill intent, but all I've done was make things awkward for them.

I'd like to be friends with other guys, but I never thought my appearance would cause problems. I'm not saying I think of it as a curse, but maybe I should invest in a few more sweaters or something... what do you think?

Re: Quicklog!

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

[He's grinning just like that] Awesome - glad to hear it. That was just off my cuff anyway.

[He takes note of her 'attire'] Well... unless Kazahana knows what you look like, I doubt it was what you look like so much as ... well friendships between girls and guys... lots of people don't believe that it's just friendship, you know?

I believe you of course, but that's probably why Kazahana flipped. She probably didn't believe you're just friends.

Re: Quicklog!

[moe-rapier.livejournal.com]

I had an idea to just lend Kiba the game and have him invite Kazahana while I slip away unnoticed. I don't know if that would work, but I would like to keep my friends regardless of gender.

One of the last things I need is another terrible rumor floating around. First that picture taken of me, and then this alleged "centerfold"...

[She frowned, placing her chin in a hand.]

Re: Quicklog!

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... [Smoke thinks for a bit]

I don't think it's about the game. If you just tell Kazahana you didn't mean anything by it and he's just a friend - you never know - you might get another friend out of it when she calms down.

Re: Quicklog!

[moe-rapier.livejournal.com]

Yes, I could do that. [...Even if the thought of approaching Kazahana scared the shit out of her.]

I really appreciate this, Smoke. I don't usually sit down and vent, but this one was the first time I felt especially awkward. [Locket sigh, giving the glass in her hand a shake, the ice clinking around.]

Okay... I'll finish this as quick as I can, then get to dusting. I'm sure you get an earful of all sorts of stories like this, huh?

Re: Quicklog!

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

Well good luck regardless. And no, people don't talk to me like this -- uh, venting - as often as you think. But you're welcome to come back any time, Locket.

Even if you're not dusting - alright? [A well-meaning wink in her direction before he starts replacing the bottles he took down to make her drink]

[hanakioku.livejournal.com]

Okay. Happy.

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

Why am I not surprised you like camping, bro?

[hanakioku.livejournal.com]

It's nice.

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

Seems like a last resort to me...

[hanakioku.livejournal.com]

Fire. Food. Calm.

Like home.

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

Home... like where you came from?

[hanakioku.livejournal.com]

Don't know.

Feels right.

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

That's probably why you like it so much.

[hanakioku.livejournal.com]

Yeah.

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

That'd explain why you like plants and stuff so much too.

[hanakioku.livejournal.com]

Not bad, right?

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

Naw, bro, not bad at all. Just not like anybody I've known - here or from back there, I think.

[hanakioku.livejournal.com]

Okay. Bring back meat?

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

You are awesome!

[hanakioku.livejournal.com]

Oh.

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

What? You are.

[hanakioku.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Aniki.

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

No prob, bro.

[blondsambitions.livejournal.com]

You still gots room?

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

Still got room, and still got a bed!

[blondsambitions.livejournal.com]

Cool. I calls it!

[inthecenterfold.livejournal.com]

Alright then - one left of the beds. You can bunk with Skulls or Lea.