[Tifa is busy admiring the polished table when she hears the door click, and she knows that it must be him. So, quickly, she moves to start wiping down the table as he steps inside, and she spins to glance over her shoulder with a feigned look of surprise on her face.]
Oh, sorry. We're closed.
[But there's a recognizable and very obvious glint in her eyes, that affection immediately shimmering in the reds under the soft yellow lights.]
[At first he thought she might not really recognize him, that this might be more dream than simulation. But he catches that glint and affection in her eyes, and he a subtle grin forms as he just continues to step through the door, letting it softly close behind him.]
Must have missed the sign.
[Yet he barged in, anyway. What an unruly customer.]
Can't offer one last drink? I heard this was the best in town.
[An unruly customer indeed. What is she going to do with him...
She chews on her lip, trying her hardest to stifle the smile that threatens to spread when she figures out that he's playing along with her.]
Mm... Is that what people are saying?
[Tifa glances around the empty bar, and at the chairs that are already flipped up onto the tables before she's turning back to Eustace and tipping her head to one side and then the other, like she's sizing him up.]
I don't do this often, but I guess I could spare one drink. For the compliment.
[And he'll just saunter in, his footsteps light yet still softly thudding against the floor as he approaches the bar.]
I'll go with your recommendation.
[He slips into the barstool directly in front of where she would be, arms crossing over the counter as he relaxes a bit, eyes wandering as he looks over it all again.]
[She slings the towel over her shoulder and watches him move, hands behind her back as she follows him to the bar and she rounds it to the other side, her gaze never once leaving Eustace. And as soon as she meets him across the bar, she leans over it and offers him her award-winning bartender smile.]
Well, what're you in the mood for tonight that you came all the way here for?
Tifa always picks out whiskies for him when she knows they're planning to drink, but she's never sat down and thought what kind of cocktail she might make him. The thoughtfulness on her face isn't all for show—it looks like she's trying to discern the kind of man he is for the very first time.
If he really were a customer of hers...
The Cosmo Canyon might not be up his alley. Too sweet, with too much of a punch—
[Her smile is coy, and a little bit shy, as she lets her eyes linger on him a second longer than what any other bartender might allow before she's grabbing all of the ingredients off the back counter. She doesn't need to shake it in a cocktail shaker... but she's going to do it anyway. Just for him.
So, she screws off the lid and lifts the whiskey high to pour into the shaker, followed by a splash of amaretto. Popping the lid back on, she shakes and shakes, gives it a toss, spins, and catches it only to twirl it between her hands. If she's going to make him a proper drink in her bar, then she's going to have to make it a memorable one.
A few more twirls of it in her fingers for good measure, and with one hand, she uncaps it and with the other, she places a single cube into the glass, and she pours the amber drink over it. It's not quite finished, because she quickly takes a knife and a lemon from the cooler below the counter to skillfully cut off a slice of lemon peel to garnish it with.
And when she's finished, she saunters over to him with the glass in her hand and gently sets it down in front of him.]
This one's on the house.
[If he goes to take a sip, he'll be met with something that is a refreshing mix of both bitter and sweet, lined with hints of nuts and caramel.]
[He watches her with genuine interest, always finding it fascinating and impressive how skillful she is with mixing drinks. He's seen a fair number of bartenders over the years, some who do it simply, others adding a little flair. Only Tifa has really held his interest...granted he might be a bit biased. He also wonders how much of it is just for him, which tickles him a little and he holds back the small laugh that threatens to escape. If they're trying to pretend to be strangers, they're doing a poor job of it and he knows it. But he also doesn't care all that much, not bothering to hide the fondness he has as he watches her. Only once she finishes does he make an attempt at his "role" as the strange, new customer who just happened to wander in.
Taking the glass, he tilts it slightly to hear the ice cube clink against the walls, the liquid an interesting color. Swirling it a bit, he lifts it up so that he can take a closer look and catch a whiff of the strong scent. A kind of whiskey? She does know his preferences so he shouldn't be too surprised. Another light swirl as he eyes her for a moment.]
Rather generous. Do you always treat customers who come in late like this?
[She props her elbow up on the counter and rests her chin in her hand, regarding him and the drink with a coy glimmer in her eyes while she waits for him to take his first taste. He never seems like the kind of man who would play along with these little games, but just like he wonders if this is all for him, she finds herself thinking the same thing about him.]
[He'll be just as coy as he maintains some nonchalance before taking that first sip...
And his eyes widen slightly at the burst of flavor that hits his tongue. That nutty, caramel taste that gives it strange but not unpleasant bitter yet sweet taste. There's a hint of that tart lemon from the peel as well, but it's subtle, mixing in well with the rest of the drink. It's nothing like he's had before, so he savors it a bit, lets it linger in his mouth for a moment before he swallows and feels the warmth flow down his throat. It's a bit strong, but not anything he can't handle. In fact, it might just be the perfect amount...
Ruminating in the aftertaste a bit, he looks at her.]
[She watches him carefully and eagerly as he takes his sip, and proud as she is of her choice for him, and she knows he'll like it, her stomach does a little bit of a nervous flip.
His verdict has her lifting her chin from her hand and straightening up, and there's a curious tip of her head.]
Not bad?
[Is he just teasing her? Her expression does falter a touch, but only for a blink.]
[She does sound pleasantly surprised, but some of it is for show, as is that touch of disbelief in her smile.]
Guess I haven't lost my touch just yet.
[Still, she is proud that she managed to whip up something that he would like. It had been one of her signature drinks long before she'd ever stumbled into Camelot or Reverein, and it is either by pure coincidence that it worked out, or it was written in the stars somewhere. Either way, she makes no effort to hide it.
Leaning over the counter a little, she closes some of the distance, and draws little circles on the counter in that space between them.]
Was it really the drinks that made you come all this way, though?
[A quirk of his brow as he continue to slowly sip his drink, eying her for a moment as he draws it out before he finally lowers the glass, the ice clinking softly as it rests on the counter.]
Why?
[He crosses his arms over the counter as his eyes remain on hers.]
Think there's another reason? Or... [A grin as he leans in a little to close more of that distance.] Are you hoping for one?
[She maintains eye contact even through her blushing when he leans in... except for when they flit down to stare briefly at his lips, and the urge to kiss him only grows.]
[A low, long drawn out hum as he leans back, hand raising to lean his chin against as he stares at her, head canted at a slight angle.]
Word has it that she's a young, beautiful, talented woman who has attracted a number of admirers. Yet she rebuffs all of them...and not hesitant to use force if necessary. She may have a gentle, friendly disposition, but her fists are not to be taken lightly.
[She is a little disappointed when he moves away from her, and his ears might pick up the little noise she makes in the back of her throat, but she follows suit, straightening up so that she can bounce on the balls of her feet and tap her fingers against the counter.]
And...? Does she live up to the rumours?
[The colour in her cheeks darkens, and her hands slide across the bar a little closer to him.]
[Tifa's eyes narrow subtly at him, and she looks like she's trying to bite back the spread of her smile.]
Really? True, you haven't been here long, but I think I already know plenty about you.
[And because she knows he's going to ask and draw this out even more, she goes on to explain before he can say a word.]
You waited until it was late because you like the quiet, and don't like crowded places. Your choice of drink tells me that you're... mature. Maybe a soldier of some kind? [She starts to lean over the counter again, inching her hands closer, closer.] You're not into elaborate things... You like them simple. Clean. But... you won't turn down a bit of a treat every now and then.
[A pause, and she finally meets his gaze with round, doe eyes.]
[....Hoh. So she's going for that, is she? A light quirk of his lips as he listens, his expression otherwise not changing even when she leans in, her hands clearly trying to reach his or even when she gives him those big doe eyes of hers.]
Hm...
[Another low hum...as he subtly pulls his hands back to cross his arms over his chest and lean back. Yes he's doing this on purpose—]
You are...but now it makes me curious. You seem rather interested in me.
[She gives him a look when he moves his hands away. They had been so close...
But she can hardly suppress her giggle, and this time, she doesn't pull back but remains where she is over the counter.]
You seem like an interesting guy. Not every day I get someone coming all the way here for a drink when there are plenty of other good places around.
[Not to mention—and they had talked about it already, hadn't they?—if they had met in her bar, he might have been someone she took an interest in anyway. Or perhaps that's her very obvious bias speaking for her.]
A person's choice in drink says a lot about them, you know.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
flamekthunder) wrote2025-04-07 09:12 pm
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Oh, sorry. We're closed.
[But there's a recognizable and very obvious glint in her eyes, that affection immediately shimmering in the reds under the soft yellow lights.]
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Must have missed the sign.
[Yet he barged in, anyway. What an unruly customer.]
Can't offer one last drink? I heard this was the best in town.
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She chews on her lip, trying her hardest to stifle the smile that threatens to spread when she figures out that he's playing along with her.]
Mm... Is that what people are saying?
[Tifa glances around the empty bar, and at the chairs that are already flipped up onto the tables before she's turning back to Eustace and tipping her head to one side and then the other, like she's sizing him up.]
I don't do this often, but I guess I could spare one drink. For the compliment.
[He's pretty cute, after all.]
But you'll have to sit at the bar.
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[And he'll just saunter in, his footsteps light yet still softly thudding against the floor as he approaches the bar.]
I'll go with your recommendation.
[He slips into the barstool directly in front of where she would be, arms crossing over the counter as he relaxes a bit, eyes wandering as he looks over it all again.]
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Well, what're you in the mood for tonight that you came all the way here for?
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[Just a casual tilt of his head as if seriously considering.]
...Something calm and relaxing.
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Tifa always picks out whiskies for him when she knows they're planning to drink, but she's never sat down and thought what kind of cocktail she might make him. The thoughtfulness on her face isn't all for show—it looks like she's trying to discern the kind of man he is for the very first time.
If he really were a customer of hers...
The Cosmo Canyon might not be up his alley. Too sweet, with too much of a punch—
Tifa hums to herself with a nod.]
How does a Nibel's Sunset sound to you?
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[Curious, he leans in a little.]
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[Said as if it's the most obvious answer in the world. Tifa waggles a finger at him.]
Can't share my secrets of the trade, but... [Her smile spreads a touch at last.] You seem like a whiskey sort of guy. Call it a hunch.
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Hm... All right. I'll give it a try.
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[Her smile is coy, and a little bit shy, as she lets her eyes linger on him a second longer than what any other bartender might allow before she's grabbing all of the ingredients off the back counter. She doesn't need to shake it in a cocktail shaker... but she's going to do it anyway. Just for him.
So, she screws off the lid and lifts the whiskey high to pour into the shaker, followed by a splash of amaretto. Popping the lid back on, she shakes and shakes, gives it a toss, spins, and catches it only to twirl it between her hands. If she's going to make him a proper drink in her bar, then she's going to have to make it a memorable one.
A few more twirls of it in her fingers for good measure, and with one hand, she uncaps it and with the other, she places a single cube into the glass, and she pours the amber drink over it. It's not quite finished, because she quickly takes a knife and a lemon from the cooler below the counter to skillfully cut off a slice of lemon peel to garnish it with.
And when she's finished, she saunters over to him with the glass in her hand and gently sets it down in front of him.]
This one's on the house.
[If he goes to take a sip, he'll be met with something that is a refreshing mix of both bitter and sweet, lined with hints of nuts and caramel.]
no subject
Taking the glass, he tilts it slightly to hear the ice cube clink against the walls, the liquid an interesting color. Swirling it a bit, he lifts it up so that he can take a closer look and catch a whiff of the strong scent. A kind of whiskey? She does know his preferences so he shouldn't be too surprised. Another light swirl as he eyes her for a moment.]
Rather generous. Do you always treat customers who come in late like this?
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No.
[She props her elbow up on the counter and rests her chin in her hand, regarding him and the drink with a coy glimmer in her eyes while she waits for him to take his first taste. He never seems like the kind of man who would play along with these little games, but just like he wonders if this is all for him, she finds herself thinking the same thing about him.]
Just the one that got my interest.
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[He'll be just as coy as he maintains some nonchalance before taking that first sip...
And his eyes widen slightly at the burst of flavor that hits his tongue. That nutty, caramel taste that gives it strange but not unpleasant bitter yet sweet taste. There's a hint of that tart lemon from the peel as well, but it's subtle, mixing in well with the rest of the drink. It's nothing like he's had before, so he savors it a bit, lets it linger in his mouth for a moment before he swallows and feels the warmth flow down his throat. It's a bit strong, but not anything he can't handle. In fact, it might just be the perfect amount...
Ruminating in the aftertaste a bit, he looks at her.]
Hmm...not bad.
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His verdict has her lifting her chin from her hand and straightening up, and there's a curious tip of her head.]
Not bad?
[Is he just teasing her? Her expression does falter a touch, but only for a blink.]
Still the best in town?
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Yes.
[And another sip, once again savoring the flavor.]
I've never had anything like this before... It's perfectly suited for my taste.
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[She does sound pleasantly surprised, but some of it is for show, as is that touch of disbelief in her smile.]
Guess I haven't lost my touch just yet.
[Still, she is proud that she managed to whip up something that he would like. It had been one of her signature drinks long before she'd ever stumbled into Camelot or Reverein, and it is either by pure coincidence that it worked out, or it was written in the stars somewhere. Either way, she makes no effort to hide it.
Leaning over the counter a little, she closes some of the distance, and draws little circles on the counter in that space between them.]
Was it really the drinks that made you come all this way, though?
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Why?
[He crosses his arms over the counter as his eyes remain on hers.]
Think there's another reason? Or... [A grin as he leans in a little to close more of that distance.] Are you hoping for one?
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I don't know...
[Tifa bats her lashes.]
Nothing you heard about the bartender?
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[A low, long drawn out hum as he leans back, hand raising to lean his chin against as he stares at her, head canted at a slight angle.]
Word has it that she's a young, beautiful, talented woman who has attracted a number of admirers. Yet she rebuffs all of them...and not hesitant to use force if necessary. She may have a gentle, friendly disposition, but her fists are not to be taken lightly.
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And...? Does she live up to the rumours?
[The colour in her cheeks darkens, and her hands slide across the bar a little closer to him.]
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...Maybe.
[Smile.]
It's hard to say as I haven't really been here for long to really judge.
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Really? True, you haven't been here long, but I think I already know plenty about you.
[And because she knows he's going to ask and draw this out even more, she goes on to explain before he can say a word.]
You waited until it was late because you like the quiet, and don't like crowded places. Your choice of drink tells me that you're... mature. Maybe a soldier of some kind? [She starts to lean over the counter again, inching her hands closer, closer.] You're not into elaborate things... You like them simple. Clean. But... you won't turn down a bit of a treat every now and then.
[A pause, and she finally meets his gaze with round, doe eyes.]
Am I on the right track?
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Hm...
[Another low hum...as he subtly pulls his hands back to cross his arms over his chest and lean back. Yes he's doing this on purpose—]
You are...but now it makes me curious. You seem rather interested in me.
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But she can hardly suppress her giggle, and this time, she doesn't pull back but remains where she is over the counter.]
You seem like an interesting guy. Not every day I get someone coming all the way here for a drink when there are plenty of other good places around.
[Not to mention—and they had talked about it already, hadn't they?—if they had met in her bar, he might have been someone she took an interest in anyway. Or perhaps that's her very obvious bias speaking for her.]
A person's choice in drink says a lot about them, you know.
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~fin.