sticksandbones | I Never Will Play the Wild Rover No More

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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]

[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?]

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.]

[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.

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.]

[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.]

[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.

[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.

The spectral closet ghosts are quite dangerous here.

[Their teeth may clank, but the gargoyle seems pleased enough either way. It's not like he knows much about this? One round of horizontal tango did not ever influence his outlook, he's just vibing okay.

Anyway, he'll let Luca go so that he can continue to search.]

They might pop up and pull my tail, for example!

[And here is Luca, reaching for Zahliya's tail even before he mentions it. He quickly shifts his hand to the side upon it even being mentioned, feigning as if he was only ever trying to pull a box of graham crackers off the shelf. He clears his throat before giving the box a shake.]

Right. Well then. Will your s'mores suffice for your treat?

Always.

[He does like his s'mores. Anything that melts... the creature loves melty things, but that doesn't need to be stated again.]

You know, Lu, you do not have to shake the box like you're summoning a dog.

[okay but

theoretically if he shakes the box, Zahliya might just appear.]

Are you sure about that?

[Shake shake.]

Here, lil Gargoyle. Come get your treat.

[Anyway. He's grabbing the chocolate and the marshmallows while he lets Zahliya stew in the taunt sent his way. Anything to hide the way he smirks impishly. Gremlin behavior, truly.]

[Stewing... thinking...

...

Rude!]

I am not a dog, [he concludes, because legally he is a mashup of several other creatures, none of them canine,] but I will still bite you.

[Playfully. He will playfully bite.]

[Is that supposed to stop him?

... Well. It does. But only for a second. Once his head starts working, he manages to crack a smirk.]

Surely you can do it harder. I barely felt that.

[Just ignore the way his voice wavers.]

[No, not ignored, he heard that—]

I fear if I do it harder, you might not be able to run your bar.

[Is this meant to be a threat because his teeth are sharp, or a horny comment, one wonders... maybe it's both. Zahliya's tail is wagging back and forth, that could mean anything.]

[Either way, Luca finds himself clearing his throat. He turns away, as if to make his escape.]

Well - in any case. Let's not leave you wanting. For s'mores, that is!!

[He's speaking very quickly! Stumbling even. What a nerd.]

I Never Will Play the Wild Rover No More

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

THE LORE HAS SPOKEN

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