I Never Will Play the Wild Rover No More

[unheiring]

Who: Luca Aurelius and YOU
What: It's a bar log. For all your drinking needs. Make your own top-levels and have your own bar-related fun here.
When: End of March up to just before the event
Where: The Watchtower Bar
Warnings: Alcohol. Lots and lots of alcohol.


It sure has been a month, hasn't it? And it's probably been made all the worse by the fact that Luca has been keeping the bar closed more often than not. Someone's had a lot on his mind, you see. Even when the bar has been open, Luca's presence has been missing, with only the spirit to tend to any, well... spirits you might have needed! There's no stew over the fire, or anything like that. It's great for drinking, but not much else.

But he can only wallow in misery for so long. And by that, we mean deal with the spirit occupying his walls, staring at him somberly every time he refuses to open the doors.

So, finally, toward the end of March, the doors to the bar open. One night at first. Then a second. By the third, it's the longest stretch they've stayed open since everything went to shit! Moreover, a pot of stew always seems to be brewing, a fresh deck of cards has been laid out on the table, and a new, makeshift dartboard has been prepared.

Well. If ever there's been a time to party, it's now. Grab your alcohol from your host, or do your own thing. It's about time the Grove got to relax.

Comments

[unheiring]

[Luca seems to be throwing himself into his efforts around the bar. Early in the day will see him fiddling with the hearth. He seems to be trying to get the simmer just right on the stewpot. More than once, you might catch sight of him thrusting his whole hand straight into the fire. Maybe you should stop him? Or watch as he pulls his hand back, watching it as it blazes brightly with still smoldering flames. He shakes it off after a moment, before finally leaving it be.

If he catches you looking, he’ll just roll his eyes.]

It’s not nearly as bad it looks.

[If you’re a late comer, Luca has taken his place behind the counter by now. He’s more than happy to pull down anything you might ask for. You can even ask for recommendations. Though he might be a little more curmudgeonly about that. Just don’t ask him for advice, especially if you’re off your ass drunk.

Or do, I’m not your dad. Just don’t expect actual help.

(Or maybe do. He’s a bleeding heart.)

Of course, as any given night comes to an end, Luca might start to make eyes at you. His own posture is beginning to show the slightest signs of exhaustion, even though he tries to pretend they’re not there. He will approach eventually though, with a rather brusque clearing of the throat.]

It’s rather late, don’t you think?

behind the counter // sillies after they Feel Bad for a while, as is mandated in the lore-

[purifier]

[sudden hoof noises from across the way, clompclompclomp

yeets himself into a stool and spins around]

Lu. [the stool is spinning] Make me food.

[this is what you signed up for are you happy with yourself luca]

THE LORE HAS SPOKEN

[unheiring]

[Luca startles at the noise, spinning around quickly and reaching for a sword he doesn't have on his person. The second that he processes Zahliya's form, however, he finds himself simply sighing in exasperation. He nods to the hearth.]

Is the stew not good enough for you? Have you something to say of its flavor?

[His tone is... teasing? Almost?]

[purifier]

It's good! But as your Guardian, [now we're pulling rank??] I am requesting something special. Dessert, maybe.

[Stops the stool from spinning with his hooves. Elbows on the counter, chin in both hands. Hi.]

[unheiring]

[Why is he so cute. Why is his heart skipping a beat. Fuck.]

I hope you were not expecting an apple pie. That takes several hours to properly craft.

[Nevertheless, he sighs and makes his way toward the storage room.]

You best come along. So I can prepare for your... sensibilities.

[purifier]

No, but I expect something sweet.

[He doesn't expect anything, really. He's being silly for the purposes of being silly, as you do when you have slightly gotten over yourself and have realised that it's okay to live in the moment sometimes. So!

Zahliya hops up and follows after Luca, with the clipclop of his hooves on the floors.]

[unheiring]

[Luca waits until Zahliya has tucked himself into the storeroom before swinging the door shut. At first, he makes like he's checking a shelf that would have been otherwise obscured by the entryway. However, it isn't long until he turns on Zahliya, swinging an arm around his waist and tugging him close.

What could be sweeter than a kiss, he reasons. Unfortunately, the thought alone is ... about as far as his boldness goes. He stops short of leaning in, staring at Zahliya with slightly parted lips. He hesitates for a second, before releasing him once more.]

Sorry, I - Thought there was something behind you.

[Don't mind him, unless he's stopped, he's going to check the shelves for real now.]

[purifier]

[Character development news: Zahliya is Quite A Bit Less Shy about Luca specifically touching him, so this act only makes him eke out the littlest giggle... and then Luca tries to run off, which is super not fair. Get back here, you rizzed up this gargoyle you take responsibility for your actions young man—

Zahliya's fingers tug on Luca's sleeve as he tries to run off, pulling him back just slightly enough to where the gargoyle can kiss him on the lips. Or rather... kiss him on the corner of the mouth because he slightly miscalculated how quick he was going to be, and he nearly winds up bonking their heads together in his haste.

So it's... well, an attempt! It's an attempt, both of them are doing fine, no one is acting like a teenager in love here.]

Mm, yes, of course. It would be very scary if a creature was bold enough to attack me directly. Thank you for being my saviour, Lu.

[unheiring]

[Luca doesn't expect to be whisked back around and pulled into - well, something close to a kiss. Despite how he startles at first, he doesn't seem to complain. In fact, if anything he seems annoyed at the half-assed attempt. He surges forward once more, catching Zahliya quickly in an actual kiss.

Even if their teeth do clank together.]

I don't - [A huff.] Know about being a savior. But I will certainly protect you from whatever spectral creatures lie within this closet, at least.

behind the counter

[winterfrosting]

[Huh. That is certainly some kind of stew, but it has a scent he doesn't recognize. Cacao approaches curiously]

May I ask after the food you are cooking?

[unheiring]

[Even if Luca hasn't shown his face much, he's still kept a watchful eye on the new faces that have come through. The man, with his large sword and commanding presence, has been a curiosity to Luca. So much so that he watches the man as he moves about the bar, albeit covering his spying up as he cleans a glass.

He plays the part of a busy and slightly surprised businessman as he's approached, though. The glass is set down, before he considers the question asked.]

Rabbit. Albeit one slightly infused with some sort of moss. I can assure you that I have cooked it before, however. There will be no ill effects on your health.

[winterfrosting]

Ah, rabbit.

[That perks him up, though the rabbits he's thinking off are quite a bit more... rice... based... than what's in the stew]

What do you charge.

[unheiring]

[At that, he can't help but let out a bark of laughter. He doesn't sound particularly amused, though.]

Truth be told, I don't expect I'll ever understand the conversion rate here. But it isn't as if I have to pay to restock. [A shrug.]

Take what you wish and pay what you will. A shell or so should suffice, two if you wish for a drink to go with it.

[winterfrosting]

Very well.

[He will dig around in his pouch for some shells- he took to scrounging soon as Vanilla explained their purpose to him, and places two on the counter]

You have my thanks. I have... been lacking in meat since I arrived.

[he loves Vanilla, he really does. And respects his desire to not eat living things. But crumbs he kinda misses some hearty jelly meat]

[unheiring]

Well, we certainly can't have that. [One look at the man's frame tells Luca that he needs all the protein he can get.] You ought to try speeking to the Shopkeeper. He's quite adept and procuring food. And the kitchen in the inn is a useful tool.

[Does he sound slightly judgemental? Maybe. At least he hides the roll of his eyes as he turns to his shelves. He thumbs over a few taps, glances toward the bottles of wine, before finally pausing once more.]

Do you have a preference of drink? I have cider, wine, and ale, as well as a number of spirits.

[winterfrosting]

[Luca gets an agreeable 'hmm' at the suggestion. Cacao isn't a huge talker it seems]

... something mild. If I come home deep in my cups Pure Vanilla may lock me out.

[unheiring]

Mild. [Is that a hint of relief in his voice? Maybe. He knows it comes with the territory, but the less drunkards he can avoid, the better.

He pulls a mug over and begins to fill it with a lager. Better than a red, and should pair with the rabbit well! When he's satisfied with the foam atop the mug, he passes it back to the man.]

This should do nicely then, so long as you stick with the one and don't down it.

[grimtalker]

[don't mind a Child slipping in while luca is messing with the fire. he isn't going to bother the guy, at least not at first... then he sees him stick his whole ass hand in the fire and inhales, sharp but soft. still probably loud enough for luca to hear, since hunter isn't too far away.

he hasn't actually seen anyone else use magic yet, here.]

[unheiring]

[Luca's attention snaps to the both the moment he draws a breath. His eyes narrow, studying the boy. His hand is withdrawn from the fire, careful as can be, and none the worse for wear. The only thing that seems to linger are long, talons that flicker out of being as they adjust to the colder air.]

Can I help you?

[grimtalker]

[unfortunately for both of them, the somewhat confrontational look luca gives him speaks to hunter's instinct for defiance, and his own face pulls into a scornful glare.]

Actually, you can. You're the proprietor of this establishment?

[unheiring]

I am. And you...

[Luca looks him up and down, before the corner of his lips ticks upward. It's a smirk that's none too kind.]

You look far too young to be in this establishment.

[grimtalker]

[wow. hunter rolls his eyes so dramatically it actually aches a little.]

Oh, please. I've raided far seedier places than this. A lot nicer ones, too...

At any rate, my age isn't your concern. [buddy it literally is.]

[unheiring]

[Insult him? Fine. Insult the bar that his father put so much effort into? That's a line you don't want to cross. The feathers on Luca's neck ruffle upward, while the air around him seems to briefly shimmer with heat.]

You'll find that as the proprietor of this place, it is my exact duty to know your age. [The waves of heat seem to dissipate, though there remains a faint glow to his eyes.]

I'll ask you one more time.

[grimtalker]

[okay, actual hostility. for just one second, he's torn between flight or fight. given that flapjack swoops out to take staff form in defense of hunter, he ends up standing to meet luca toe to toe, ready to fight...

... and then he just stares for a moment. the magic, the claws, the feathers...]

... Are you a harpy?

[unheiring]

[Luca doesn't intend to actually fight the boy. Probably. But between the insults and general stubbornness, he has to set a standard. If the kid thinks he can get away with anything around him, then his reputation would only suffer.

In many ways, he doesn't expect the child to arm himself and meet him head on. While he keeps a stern face, his brain is already scrambling for a way out — one that wouldn't damage what the kid thought of him, or get said kid killed.

And then he asks that question. There is the - obvious connotation that makes his stomach tighten uncomfortably. But there's no malice there, just... actual curiosity. Somehow, that baffles Luca even more. While his feathers are no less ruffled and his eyes no less aglow, his brows raise into an expression that's far more taken aback than on guard.]

What the hells kind of question is that?