The Saloon Doors are Open

[needsteaplz]

Characters: Saori Nakagawa, Brigid, & You
Where: Aqures Ixen; The Space Saloon
When: Throughout September
Summary: With Barkeep now in Stasis, the Space Saloon is need of help.
Warning: None for now

A. No Trouble in This Place
When news of the Barkeep went into crystal stasis spread, Saori's heart sank. Then came the matter of the Space Saloon. Since she was no longer in part of the police force, that left her schedule wide open. Besides getting some extra gil definitely helps. The day started after a quick morning work out, a trip to the marketplace to order more for the saloon, and getting breakfast on the table back home.

From there she went to the Saloon for kitchen prep while slipping in some job training in between. When the sun went down and everyone was stopping for a drink or a meal, Saori could found behind the counter, taking orders and prepping drinks. Despite how much she was on the go, she could be easily stopped especially now that she sported a new shorter haircut.

B. Writer's Block

One lone moggle sat at the counter at the Space Saloon with a notebook as big as her . She started scribbling something down but paused. With a frustrated pout, she ripped out the page.

"No, kupo! This doesn't feel right!" Brigid crumpled the page furiously and threw it behind her. There was supposed to be wastebasket nearby but there was a mountain of rejected writing where it was. Instead of flying towards the pile of rejects, it hit someone passing by. "Nothing's working, kupo!"

Comments

[needsteaplz]

Saori had just put up a glass she finished drying on the shelf when Rialynn approached her.

That's right. She had seen Rialynn from time to time but there wasn't much chances to really interact. Of course there was that incident before but since Saori turned in her police badge, she honestly would rather keep that behind her and focus on matters at hand.

"Oh, that would be great. Thank you! There's still a few glasses here to dry and store I could use some help with." She motioned her to come behind the bar.

"So what did you want to talk about?"

[rialynn]

That kind of task was simple enough for a bard with no experience of bardtending bartending. She slid off of the barstool she'd occupied and rounded the counter, picking up a dish towel on the way.

"I was actually wondering how long you meant to keep the Space Saloon going." She picked up one of the wet glasses, pushing her towel-wrapped fingers into the wet glass to get the stray droplets inside. "I used to work here as a performer pretty often before everything got so...intense. And Barkeep was always good to me." She reached up to put the glass away before picking up the next. "So if you meant to take this on as a long-term thing until he wakes up again, I'd like to help, if you'll have me." Her shoulders hitched. "I don't know much about cooking or barwenching, but I do a lot of traveling if you need to negotiate for supplies, and I can learn if I'm taught."

[needsteaplz]

The gears in Saori's head ground to a halt. Rialynn had a good point.

She needed the funds to set up a fully operational bureau for the Assassins. Was she going to just abandon the Space Saloon when that time comes? Absolutely not! Everyone in Aqures Ixen, not just the Heroes, needed a second place to call home, find comfort in these times and fill their stomachs with good food and good booze.

The Saloon was Moredecai's pride and joy and she was going to honor her friend. Sure she had been recruited to support Jardin Verdoyant, but surely she could manage it. Though her future schedule was starting to look crazy, Saori would somehow find a way for things to work out.

Saori gave Rialynn a nod of approval.

"Well, if the staff and the patrons will accept me, I think I'll stay on as long as possible as a manager. The Saloon will still be under Mordecai's name in case he does come back." Though honestly given how the month was going so far, everyone under the Space Saloon's roof was happy to have her at the helm. She tapped her chin in thought. "Having a connected supplier will definitely has it benefits so yes, I'd love to have you on the team. Let's throw in some cooking lessons in between and you got yourself a deal."

[rialynn]

"Cooking lessons? Really?" Her hazel eyes brightened at the offer as a slow smile spread across her face. She kind of wanted to learn more recipes that she could make, especially now that she had a house of her own to live in and her own meals to prepare. So far her repertoire didn't extend much further than boiled eggs, toast, grilled fish, and stew. Simple stuff, and the dishes she made didn't exactly boast any complex flavors.

"Yeah! I mean, yes! I'd love to learn to cook something decent," she agreed, extending her hand so they could shake on it officially. "I don't think you'll have to worry too much about the staff and patrons accepting you. I didn't hear any complaints about the food while I was waiting, and I'm sure the staff are glad to have someone willing to call the shots."

Rialynn didn't really classify herself as an employee; she worked as an entertainer and little more. Even then, she'd done more traveling and research into the world's history as of late than singing for coin.

[needsteaplz]

Saori laughed. She loved Rialynn's enthusiasm already. "Yeah, I thinking cooking is one of those things everyone should learn. Not to mention I find good food has universal appeal and gets the good things going."

The only thing it possibly can't do is stop the Calamity. Also if she had heard someone had blasted her own cooking as bad...well they'd be forced to pay their tab and leave swiftly because she don't want no trouble in her place.

"Alright then, I guess I should get the paperwork going tomorrow to help make managing easier here."

[rialynn]

Rialynn nodded, dusting her hands off together before stooping to pick up her pack, slinging the strap over her shoulder and tugging her hair loose from underneath. "That sounds good to me. I can start sending some letters out to various wineries and distilleries to ask for prices and rates. If you have any favorites, let me know and I'll focus on those."

Hefting her pack to settle it in place, she huffed out a contented sigh. "It'll be nice to learn to cook something that isn't solely over a campfire. Thanks so much! Do you want me to come in tomorrow before opening to go over plans or...well, whenever you want to meet, it's fine with me. I don't have a strict schedule."