Open Bar

[unheiring]

[Luca has spent a few days grappling with the concept of death. Again.

He didn't know Vash, but he knew people that knew him. Ain and Livio, two people Luca would call friends, cared for him. And Joshua, who had already lost so much, had loved Dion.

It's hard to deal with. Hard to swallow. And though Luca has made so much progress on himself, he still doesn't know how to handle grief like this.

So he does the only thing he can think to do.]

Free drinks. All month.
Food too.
... We shouldn't be alone right now.
Again.

Comments

[eidxiety]

Are you gonna kill me if I drink my weight in wine tonight?

[unheiring]

Not tonight.
Not this month, even.
Do what you need to do, okay?

[cryopathy]

ota
[kiera is also bartending fairly often this month. their appearance has changed once more, their eyes back to the usual one-indigo-one-gold, an opalescent horn sprouting from their forehead, and a long, flowing tail the same color as their hair (both of which are now tipped in a light pink) trailing behind them. there's also the distinct clop of hooves as they move about the tavern.

anyone they haven't served or watched closely in the bar before gets a surprisingly welcoming smile.]

How do your tastes run?

[alternatively, the favorites of those they are familiar with are remembered.]

Would you like your usual chilled today?


luca
[one afternoon before the bar formally opens for the day, kiera glances up to luca as she sets things back in place. chairs off the tables and back onto the floor, lining up dishes for the day.]

If you're alright with it, I was thinking of adding my own drinks or offerings to the menu. Frozen cocktails, order-made ice creams...

[their tone is careful, hesitant. luca has allowed them to take back the aurelius name, but they don't want to push their luck. this tavern is his and their father's legacy.]

[eidxiety]

Cool, I'll be right there.

[And he will leave that thought there, only to show up a few minutes later, clip clop go his deer hooves as he walks his little faun ass into the bar.

He sits at the counter.

He's not even sure he likes wine, but he definitely doesn't like beer, so if he's going to get drunk on anything... it's going to be wine. He's going to drink the reddest wine possible and hate every second of it. Also, hi Luca—]

[unheiring]

[Luca is already grinning at the idea, though he quickly schools his expression into something a bit more stern. Business-like. This is boss to employee time.

He's fucking terrible at it for the record.]

I won't be taste-testing the ice cream. And if anyone complains, you're to field it and address it.

[unheiring]

[When it becomes clear that Ain isn't exactly enjoying his wine, he snatches the glass away. It's replaced, quickly, with a sweeter cider. He gives Ain a challenging look, as if to say "tell me I'm wrong," but otherwise remains silent.

For a minute.

Or two.

And then.]

You should eat something. [And lest Ain try to argue, he adds.] Or you'll be cleaning your own sick off my floor.

[cryopathy]

[he is so fucking mean, and for why?? he's going to bring (crocodile) tears to her eyes.]

You don't even want to sample my hard work? What have I done to offend you this time?

[unheiring]

[Luca just glowers at her.]

Ice cream. Really? I wonder why I would be loath to try it.

[cryopathy]

[and she rolls her eyes in response!]

I'll be certain to burn all your food from now on, then, since that's what you prefer.

[unheiring]

[She gets a shove for all her griping.]

It's the sweetness you incorrigible harlot!

[cryopathy]

You are always going on about apple pie! Even yours is sweet!

[they huff, and lash their tail like an angry cat. perhaps even swat him with the end of it. it's like getting smacked with a very soft-bristled broom.]

... You know, there is savory ice cream. I could add spice, or cheese and herbs.

[unheiring]

[Luca huffs, batting at the tail and trying to shake the tickling from his face long after she's gone.]

I add plenty of spice to make up for it! And the crust is Far more savory than anything. [He's still glowering at her, even if he does loosen up just enough to add:] But, I would be curious to try something savory. Once.

[cryopathy]

[it's fine. she'll just trip him with it later. it isn't as if he has very far to get to the ground.]

I will have to think of a recipe that will be palatable to you, then. I don't suppose fruit sorbet is more up your alley in general?

[unheiring]

[They are so rude to him and for why!!!]

Still too sweet, albeit better. [He lets out the saddest of sighs.] I'll have to survive on apple pie alone for a time.

[cryopathy]

[kiera shrugs, exaggerated.]

You know, sometimes I think we aren't even related!

[unheiring]

Are you implying we don't share blood, Kiera Aurelius?

[It takes all of his energy to not guffaw.]

[cryopathy]

[unlike their brother, kiera is under no obligation, self-imposed or otherwise, to keep from laughing loud and unabashed. so they do.]

[unheiring]

[Kiera gets only a middle finger before Luca turns away, lest he show the way he's tearing up from restrained laughter. Byeeeee.]

[cryopathy]

[kiera is happy to give him space while they finish up getting the bar ready for service. at least for a bit. before he goes to open the door, they wave him down one more time.]

Do you have another minute?

[unheiring]

[He turns toward them, looking irritable, but only jokingly so.]

Yes, you can have a pre-service shot.

[cryopathy]

[kiera laughs in good humor, but shakes their head. they can't say they blame him for the assumption!

in fact, they're pulling a couple of ruby-heart amulets out of their pocket. they had the pair fastened into broaches as opposed to necklaces.]

I thought a chain would pull at your feathers. You could wear this on your vest, or in a pocket... It would allow us to borrow one another's abilities twice a day.

[they hesitate once more, glancing away.]

If you're interested. [and to deflect from their own sentimentality...] Just think -- next time, you could fly with Polaris!

[unheiring]

[Luca stops short on his way back over to her (No, he didn't actually think she was after liquor). He stares at the jewelry she holds out, before bringing himself to take one step, then another, toward her.

He stops short, however, and quickly turns away.]

Just a second. They're great, don't get me wrong, just. Wait.

[His voice sounds strangely flustered, almost sheepish, as he turns and bolts up the stairs. Thankfully, he's back before long, with a pair of rose-quartz adorned bracelets in hand.]

I... saw something similar in the shop recently. They allow us to communicate with one another across distances and... pick up if something is wrong.

[He holds one out to her.]

A trade, perhaps?

[cryopathy]

[even with his reassurances, kiera worries, in the time it takes him to leave and return, that they have overstepped. if he'd taken much longer, honestly, she might have chickened out and fled. but what he brings is... flattering, and humbling, all the same.

kiera tries to pretend they didn't just make a pitiful sound in the back of their throat, as they accept the bracelet and replace it with an amulet.

for all of their life as siblings, kiera has always assumed that she cared about luca far more than he did her. not because he ever rejected her, but simply because... she's damaged. dangerous. untrustworthy. who in their right mind would love her? think of her in matters of sentimentality, affection?

luca does. he still does. he always has.

she laughs, quiet and choked, as she turns the bracelet in her hand, allowing the light to catch the crystal.]

We both picked out one another's colors.

[unheiring]

[Under different circumstances, Luca might have ignored the the noise she makes. However, when he hears the whisper of her voice, without the movement of her lips, he knows he can't sweep it under the rug. It's probably just his own head, making assumptions on her part but... it's enough to twist his heart.

He takes a step forward, regardless of the way she inspects the bracelet, and wraps his arms tightly around her. Affection time, bitch.]

We're both damaged, you know. Difficult to deal with. Scarred up from what we've been through. But I still love you. I'll always love you.

[He leans back and gives her an awkward smile.]

I wanted something that would remind me of you. I assume it's the same for you?

[He does start to take the brooch but... stops short.]

Would you help me put it on?

[cryopathy]

[ah. this, again. kiera... would rather luca never be privy to these horrid, innermost thoughts. she knows he's prone to blaming himself, and to cause him additional pain is nightmarish. but also, it's... terrifying, being known.

but in the end, if she had to choose, there's no one she would rather bare her entire soul to.]

I'll always love you, as well. [their voice is so pitifully quiet, so often, these days. it's humiliating.]

I wanted to be able to protect you, even when we aren't close by. Additional ways for you to defend yourself, or to hide, to flee...

[despite everything, she smiles when he asks for help. tenderly takes the amulet in her hands and pins it wherever he directs her to do so, then laughs once more.]

You know how I feel about hearts. But I somehow find this tolerable.