⚡ ML INBOX

[evocation]

@kyna.medina | ■ ▲ ◌ ▼

Comments

[withmeinparadise]

What? No.

[ He pulls the flower from its buttonhole and sets it on the bar between them. ]

Had to find something pretty on short notice, remember?

[evocation]

[She wasn't lying—she really didn't need anything complicated, and judging from the way her smile softens, he nailed it. It's sweet in a heart fluttery way, and she tucks it into her hair above her ear.

Huh. Maybe he could be romantic if he tried.]

Short notice? It's been like four hours.

[withmeinparadise]

You got here two hours ago, don't be dramatic.

[ Obviously the two hours that happened before that point don't count. It's fine. The real story here, anyway, is the way she looks with a whatever-that-is at the side of her face, but he's content to say nothing about it. ]

So. What's on the menu tonight?

[ Read: Does he get to pick his drink, or is it dealer's choice? ]

[evocation]

Whatever you want.

[Dealer's choice, clearly.]

[withmeinparadise]

Hmmm. Gimme a rum and coke.

[evocation]

That's it?

[Boring, Sam!]

[withmeinparadise]

You wanna make something else, make me something else. I ain't picky.

[evocation]

No, no. I'll give you your rum and coke. I can experiment on you later.

[Ominous, maybe, if he knows anything about how Ren and Kyna spend their slow shifts. She whips it up, though, and sets it in front of him.]

[withmeinparadise]

Sounds good.

[ Sounds more promising than ominous to him, honestly--but he's got an iron stomach. For now, he takes a sip of his drink and the corner of his mouth curls up, teasing. ]

Not bad. They teach you this one?

[evocation]

Yep. I needed after hours tutoring. Are you proud of me?

[withmeinparadise]

Very. [ And after another sip-- ] Bet Nathan showed you, he knows a good rum'n coke.

[evocation]

Pfft.

[She reaches across the bar to flick the side of his head.]

You know I train a lot of the baby bartenders here, right?

[withmeinparadise]

[ Which doesn't do anything to teach him a lesson. It might just encourage him. ]

Well, someone's gotta. But someone must've trained you.

[evocation]

[What a jerk. She rolls her eyes good-naturedly.]

I used to bartend at home, you dork.

[withmeinparadise]

Yeah?

[ It's the invitation to tell a story more than an expression of disbelief. ]

[evocation]

Yeah, before I was actually making money with the magic stuff. There were so many weirdos.

[But none of it is especially interesting, so—]

I've been doing some reading about those pirates you love so much.

[withmeinparadise]

[ And evidently it's not nearly as interesting to him as pirates, either, because something in his bearing sharpens. ]

Have you now?

[evocation]

[Kyna laughs, charmed by the reaction. What a nerd.]

Uh-huh. I'm practically an expert now.

[No she's not.]

[withmeinparadise]

All right, expert, tell me about pirates.

[ You know, unless you've got actual paying customers. ]

[evocation]

[She shoots him a shit-eating grin.]

They all had scurvy.

[withmeinparadise]

[ He rolls his eyes. ]

When you said you were reading about 'em, I thought you meant history, not, uh, Treasure Island.

[evocation]

Hey, I can read both.

[She leans forward onto the bar. It's a good thing it's slow tonight.]

I was reading about that Black Sam guy who like, thought he was Robin Hood.

[withmeinparadise]

Bellamy.

[ Sam supplies it idly, arms crossed lazily against the bar as he leans in just a fraction. ]

Used the skull and crossbones--you picture a Jolly Roger in your mind, it's either his or Calico Jack's. What'd you think of him?

[evocation]

Yeah, him.

[Her lips quirk up.]

Is this a test?

[withmeinparadise]

A test?