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.
You assume I let anyone else inside my bar after hours. With or without ulterior motives.
[She was pretty strict about her closing time, after all. She would let people finish up what they had, at least, but anyone new would have to wait until she opened up shop the next day.
So...
She rolls her shoulders in a small shrug.]
Guess I really am interested. But... you admit to having ulterior motives, then?
But if my drinks really are that good that you'd rather come all the way here, then... guess I have nothing to worry about.
[Tifa begins to turn, but lets her gaze linger on his for a second longer before her back is to him, and she very obviously sways her hips as she wanders away from the counter. She gives a wave of her hand as she pretends to clean up the glasses and bottles.]
You can leave the glass there after you finish up.
[He sees her swaying this hips. Trying to provoke him, eh? He'll just eye her, glass slowly reaching his lips as he continues to nurse his drink.]
I won't take much longer.
[And he'll still only remain where he is, otherwise unchanging as he continues exactly as he says and just sits there and drink. He can hold out. Let's see how long it takes Tifa.]
[She bites down on her lip, and her shoulders shake ever so slightly with the smallest laugh. He really is saying to her that two can tango without really saying it, isn't he? Well, alright.
Tifa hums along to the jazzy music from the jukebox as she wipes down the back counter and readjusts the already very tidy bottles. Then, with a single coy glance at him, she comes out from behind the counter and gets to work wiping down the rest of the tables that look like they have already been cleaned... and she sets what's left of the chairs up over them.
All while he nurses his drink in that obvious way he's doing.
But when she's finished and he still hasn't broken—and boy, is she efficient at cleaning—she stares at the back of his head. How badly she wants to hold him right now... It's only been, what, less than twenty minutes since they walked into the dream, and already, it feels too long in his presence to not be near him.
Her boots beat against the wooden floors as she crosses to the jukebox. There's a click, a whirr, and the song switches to something a little softer and slower.
He probably can hear her coming before she even reaches him, but moments later, her arms slip around him and she bumps her head against the back of his shoulder.]
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flamekthunder) wrote2025-04-07 09:12 pm
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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.]
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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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[She was pretty strict about her closing time, after all. She would let people finish up what they had, at least, but anyone new would have to wait until she opened up shop the next day.
So...
She rolls her shoulders in a small shrug.]
Guess I really am interested. But... you admit to having ulterior motives, then?
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[A grin as he lifts his glass.]
I just wanted a drink. That's all.
[Of course there's a little gleam in his eye, silently laughing as he continues to tease her.]
Disappointed?
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[She pouts only for a wink.]
But if my drinks really are that good that you'd rather come all the way here, then... guess I have nothing to worry about.
[Tifa begins to turn, but lets her gaze linger on his for a second longer before her back is to him, and she very obviously sways her hips as she wanders away from the counter. She gives a wave of her hand as she pretends to clean up the glasses and bottles.]
You can leave the glass there after you finish up.
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I won't take much longer.
[And he'll still only remain where he is, otherwise unchanging as he continues exactly as he says and just sits there and drink. He can hold out. Let's see how long it takes Tifa.]
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Tifa hums along to the jazzy music from the jukebox as she wipes down the back counter and readjusts the already very tidy bottles. Then, with a single coy glance at him, she comes out from behind the counter and gets to work wiping down the rest of the tables that look like they have already been cleaned... and she sets what's left of the chairs up over them.
All while he nurses his drink in that obvious way he's doing.
But when she's finished and he still hasn't broken—and boy, is she efficient at cleaning—she stares at the back of his head. How badly she wants to hold him right now... It's only been, what, less than twenty minutes since they walked into the dream, and already, it feels too long in his presence to not be near him.
Her boots beat against the wooden floors as she crosses to the jukebox. There's a click, a whirr, and the song switches to something a little softer and slower.
He probably can hear her coming before she even reaches him, but moments later, her arms slip around him and she bumps her head against the back of his shoulder.]
Alright, you win.
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~fin.