melodiesoflife | Who Needs Roses When We Have Happy Hour

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Who Needs Roses When We Have Happy Hour

Who: Saori Nakagawa and anyone else [open]
Where: Aqures Ixen - The Space Saloon
When: February 14, 2017
Summary: Thankfully there is no Date Auction this year, but it wouldn't be right to dismiss Valentine's Day outright. So why not an All Day Happy Hour? If anyone would like to use the Space Saloon as the backdrop for their date, feel free to use this log.
Warnings: None for now.

It's no surprise Valentine's Day can be rather polarizing for a holiday. However, both Saori and her moogle for once agreed they couldn't outright ignore it. After all, if Barkeep was still around, he would've gone all out. Rather than have the entire place over saturated with hearts and other decorations, she decided to keep it minimal and focused more on the menu.

For the past week, Brigid managed to tack on fliers for the Saloon all over Aqures Ixen. "All Day Valentine's Day Special!" was boldly written. It also mentioned a special menu along with reduced prices across the menu including the drinks.

As patrons entered, there were several red and pink streamers hanging from the ceiling. Saori, dressed in a traditional bartender's clothes, could be seen manning the bar. Despite the constant flow of orders, she handles them all with ease only to take a break to make sure the kitchen staff was alright. Customers might see Brigid writing in a book of some sort with much fervor either up on the highest shelf of the back bar or on the rafters. Let's just hope that bottle of ink she has doesn't fall anytime soon.

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Somewhere along the way a young man showed up at the bar, taking a solo seat and keeping mostly quiet. He leaned his cheek in his palm, elbow on the table as he looked over the menu. Anyone glancing at him might assume that he was there to lament lack of love or perhaps loss, but the look on his face roiled with something a bit deeper. Something there but out of reach.

Saori managed to break away from the bar, taking the time to check on the patrons. That was when she caught sight of Cloud deep in thought. She grabbed a pitcher of water and walked over.

"Everything alright, Cloud?"

Cloud glanced up at Saori's approach, a little distracted but not so far that he was too deep in his mind to hear her. He smiled and held out his glass in offering to the pitcher's purpose.

"Mostly. Just thinking of some friends." It was no secret at this point how many people from Gaia were in crystal stasis. Whether or not Saori had heard about Tifa and Zack in particular was the question.

She quietly refills his glass. While she hadn't met Tifa and Zack directly, she's more than willing to be a listening ear to someone who may need it.

"I understand. These holidays have a way of bringing up those who aren't here with us." Even though she had Mary, it wasn't like she forgotten Laguna or the rest of the friends in stasis. "I'm sorry for you loss, Cloud. Would you like to talk about it?"

Cloud offered a smile in thanks for the refill, but it was built on a flimsy foundation. At least this time the turmoil in his heart seemed a bit lighter than in other cases. He pursed his lips in thought, debating where to begin. He decided to start in the middle, where he found himself.

"My world is pretty complicated I guess, and a lot of the people from my world got brought here from different years. Sephiroth is from my time. Yuffie was in the future. I think Zack was too now that I think about it. Tifa definitely was. I was basically the furthest back I think." Or Sephiroth, but that hardly mattered these days.

"I know what happens in my future. I don't want it to happen, but you know, we can't control Crystal Stasis and all that." He waved his hand to stir the air, this wasn't the point he was trying to get to. He looked down into his glass, clasping his fingers around it as focused on the ripples in the water.

"Zack wasn't here for long. We barely had time to talk. He was my best friend and he watched out for me at home. I was hoping to return the favor. And with all we've learned I'm worried about him. Him and Tifa..." His brow furrowed this time, "She was from far in my future. After everything that happens. I'm supposed to be a year older than her. Instead she was like five years older than me. And she'd been through so much I guess it changed her?" He pursed his lips again. There was more but he didn't continue just yet.

Mary sat at the bar a bit before sundown. She shook her head, half smirking and half exasperated as she looked at the two letters laid out on the bar in front of her. "I like the man, but sometimes I wonder how much he thinks about what he does." Her eyes flitted up to the woman across the bar, the sexiest bartender in the city as far as she was concerned. "I mean, tonight? What is he playing at?"

"Oh, I think we know what he's playing at," Saori said as she places a clean glass away under the bar. "Can't say I don't blame the guy at all. You do have a way of attracting people. And also possibly questioning their sexuality for a good hour or so but that's not the point." If they were at home, she would've expected a pillow thrown at her face right about now.

She walks over to where Mary is, carrying her own glass of water. "If you're looking for permission to go, you have it but two conditions. You go because you want to and you have fun. I'm taking tomorrow off so we'll have all the time to do whatever we want." After all, it would be rather hypocritical of her to cage Mary in when she had an open relationship with her husband. Though if Jack was open to the idea of sharing, Saori wouldn't object to that.

She glances at the two letters again, taking in a sip of water. "Hmm, you know you could always mess with him by having both Mary Read and James Kidd show up. I mean he did go out of his way to have two letters sent. Besides, doesn't that Illusionist job have a skill for such an occasion?"

Mary couldn't help but smirk at Saori's commentary. Still, she wasn't quite sure that Saori was questioning anything when they met, at least nothing on the surface level like that. She was sure she confused a fair few pirates in her time back home, but a number of them were a bit bent themselves. Not having women on a ship didn't stop some folks after all.

Taking her glass from the bar she clinked it to Saori's own, a happy smile on her face, grateful for her girlfriend's understanding. "Thank you. More than anything else, I want to make sure that this gets resolved and done. I'll be sure not to sign myself up for adventures tomorrow though."

"But aye, I've been thinking something along the same lines." She smirked as she looked over the letters. She'd borrowed something from Jade after receiving these that might well do the trick. "I need to see just how it works. We might not be spending this evening apart after all if you're willing to contribute to some devilry."

There's a mischievous glint in her eye as she smiles. "Of course I'll help. As if I could ever pass up a chance like this." Besides, she wanted to see Jack's reaction and how it would turn out with her own eyes.

"I'll just have a clone set up and no one would even notice. So what do you want me to do exactly?"

The pirate's grin grew wider and she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the letters and focusing more on Saori's face. "Mmmmm, I can think of a fair few things I'd like you to do. And now I'm wondering just what you can do with those clones too."

A stunned Saori blinks before laughing. "Challenge accepted," she said after finally having a moment to breathe. "This is gonna be fun, alright." She looks over her shoulder when she hears the scuffing a bar stool. Oh right. Work.

"Okay, so let me know when you head off to go see Jack. Just not too late or I might not be able to break out of here before the dinner rush starts. Sorry, I'll be right back." She nods and goes to where the new customer sat down. After that little talk, there seemed to be an extra bounce in Saori's step as she worked.

Best. Valentine's Day here. Ever.

Unlike the previous two years, Jade was actually taking Valentine's Day somewhat seriously this time. Since he'd committed to giving Rukia as many happy experiences as he could before the end, going along with some dating traditions just this once seemed appropriate.

Jade's idea of dating traditions did not include trumpet-wielding Moogle choirs. It had been funny seeing it happen to others; when a carriage showed up for the two of them, however, there was only one thing he could do. He snatched Rukia up into his arms and ran for it.

Thank goodness for the Flash step skill.

"I think I need a drink after that," he said, ducking into the Space Saloon and setting her down once they were safely out of sight. They could hide here for a while.

What just happened.

One moment she was admiring the adorable Moogles and their grand efforts at crafting the biggest romantic scenario she could have ever imagined. The next she was being spirited off in Jade's arms.

And here they were, at a bar, with Rukia's hair sticking up in several directions thanks to the Flash step.

Did Jade just dislike trumpets that much? Was it an elaborate trap? She held to his sleeve for support as he set her down, still too stunned to keep her balance for a few moments. Once she was steady, she ran her hands over her wild black hair. "Isn't that a little dramatic?" she tsked, frowning up at Jade with one with one brow cocked. Honestly!

But a date was a date, and she was pleased simply to be spending leisure time together, especially given how precious little of it they seemed to have, especially considering their varying schedules.

Rukia hoisted herself up onto a barstool and picked up the menu, very much interested in the holiday specials. Perhaps the food would be heart-shaped!

Edited (I forgot words) 2017-02-24 22:42 (UTC)

"All that spectacle and you think I'm being dramatic?" Jade responded dryly. Despite the mock annoyance, he reached over to brush back some of the erratic strands from Rukia's face by way of apology. Moogle carriages might be too much but that didn't mean he wanted to leave her displeased.

At the very least it seemed that Saori hadn't gone overboard with decorations. Indulging Rukia's desire for romance shouldn't be much of an issue, even for someone like him.

He followed her to the bar and sat down, tilting his head with a small smile. "See anything you like? My treat."

Rukia relaxed at his touch, her smile sentimental as she turned ever so faintly toward his fingertips. For someone who was so unaccustomed to physical touch, Jade had improved significantly, and she appreciated his efforts to adapt to someone like her. Her fingers caught his to give his hand a brief squeeze, indicating that all was well. She might have enjoyed the shenanigans of the Moogles, but she would equally enjoy a night out together. The company was really the only element that mattered to her.

"Oh? That's kind of you," she grinned. When it came to food, there was very little that Rukia disliked. She had yet to find a single dish, so long as it was prepared correctly. It didn't hurt that all of her friends (save for Flynn) were excellent cooks.

"The sushi special, I think," she decided, laying down her menu. Most vegetables weren't that good this time of year, but fish seemed as if they were always plentiful and in fresh supply. Plus there was the chance that she might get a cucumber roll, or tamago nigiri.

"I confess I'm not much of a romantic, so I'm hardly one to judge. Still, I'm surprised," she smirked, lacing her hands together beneath her chin. "I suppose the fanfare and flowers didn't match your own ideals? What does, I wonder?" Because she was genuinely curious to know what Jade found to be 'romantic.'

Jade nodded and ordered for the both of them. Sushi was a good choice since he liked it as well and thus didn't need to spend time thinking about what to order for himself.

He considered Rukia's question. "I've never really given it much thought until now." That was true. As often as he'd seen it happen to others, romantic love had never really factored in in anything he did. Circumstances might have explained that, but Jade strongly suspected it was simply a part of who he was.

It said something about Rukia that she'd still been able to stir these sort of unfamiliar feelings within him. She really was a fascinating woman.

"I suppose I'll always prefer stimulating conversation over grand proclamations of eternal love. Can't be having too many shenanigans at my age, hm?"

Rukia smiled. "It seems neither one of us is prone to dramatics." At least, as far as relationships went. The jury was still out on Rukia's more vehement reactions when dealing with friends who piqued her ire.

Once their menus were taken and they were left to wait, Rukia saw no reason not to let her hand edge into his. Her fingertips brushed up the length of his slim fingers before sliding between them, palms secured warmly together. A little public affection didn't hurt anyone, and it was a good way of letting him know that she was happy and content despite her initial chiding.

"...I want to thank you, for all of this." Rukia was certain he was still aware of her shadow's plaintive cries. The letters they'd exchanged afterward had been awkward, but led to a better understanding. They were close, and it was a feeling she deeply cherished. "I'm aware that you've been pushed out of your comfort zone, and have continued to do so for my sake." Her thumb brushed over his as she smiled quietly up at him. "You needn't try too hard. You've already brought me great happiness."

Jade hesitated for only a moment before allowing their fingers to become entwined. The fact they were in public wasn't a problem as such. It wasn't as though he was too concerned about what strangers thought of him. He just wasn't accustomed to holding hands, even after two months of dating.

He couldn't say it was uncomfortable, though. Rukia did have nice hands. Deceptively small and slender, yet calloused from hardship and battle. Knowing they could deliver a mean right hook was strangely appealing, too.

"I don't mind. I wouldn't be a very good scientist if I didn't test my limits every now and then." A pause, and he grinned. "Besides, it has been fun for me, too."

Shockingly so. Jade would have never thought repeated dates could maintain his interest for very long, and here he was, enjoying another one. There was always something to tease each other about, or someone else to tease together, or some new detail to learn about one another. It never got tiring.

Rukia chuckled. "A pragmatic response if I ever heard one." But honest, and the light-hearted sincerity broadened her smile. She was very much enjoying the new experiences, even if they did make her face redden on occasion. It just felt good to move ahead with a partner on her side that she cared about and trusted.

Studying the countertop, she pressed her thumb against the corner of her mouth in thought as her expression grew pensive. "I wonder what you would think of Soul Society. The living do not ordinarily visit such places, but current circumstances have led to more leniency."

Her brow furrowed. If they were both granted full access to their own worlds after the final battle, seeing one another on a regular basis would certainly prove difficult.

"Perhaps...I should request a hiatus from my duties, so I might assist you with yours."

Rukia, after all, wouldn't age a day on account of already being dead. But Jade's time in the mortal sphere was limited. She wanted to make sure she didn't miss the days that remained to him.

On Valentine's Day, it wasn't surprising to see a few extra employees around restaurants or bars. Anise found that wearing an outfit that was similar, even if it wasn't exactly the same, as the Saloon's staff let her in pretty easily.

Anise could see Jade and Rukia at the counter out of the corner of her eye. Hopefully, they would be so enthralled in their conversation with each other (that she was totally within earshot of) that they wouldn't notice her sweeping discreetly in the corner.

Rukia couldn't speak for Jade's perception, but as for her? She had no idea they were being watched. She was only just beginning to recover her shinigami abilities, now that she could equip her job full time, and that meant she needed to learn how to recognize every person's individual spiritual signature. She was learning Jade's right now.

And though she couldn't recognize it, she was slowly starting to develop tunnel vision solely for him when they had time to spend together like this. It was just one of the side effects of falling in love, one she'd be surprised to discover in due time.

Jade's reaction to the Moogles was still completely unexpected. There was little in this world that would actually cause him to run. She knew he wasn't embarrassed to be seen with her in particular.

But curiosity could be a dangerous thing indeed for these two when it concerned the other, and as Rukia recovered from the sudden jolt of a jaunt, it became clear that a little teasing was in order. "Indeed. I imagine you must be quite thirsty, fleeing so suddenly from an army of cute fluffy creatures." Her grin was sly, but the tap of her knuckles against his arm was openly affectionate. "Shall we celebrate our narrow escape from a fate surely worse than death? A bottle of fine champagne, if you please!" she signaled to the bar.

Jade was very much aware of the quiet sound of sweeping in the corner. He wasn't about to let that bother him. So Anise wanted to spy on them? Let her... if she could stomach it.

"Must you tease me so? I'm very shy about these things, you know.♥" He returned Rukia's sly smile with one of his own and, in contrast to his words, lightly touched her back in what was gradually becoming an easy gesture. It wasn't just for show, either. Although it still surprised him, Jade found himself rather pleased to have her attention all to himself and felt compelled to maintain this state of affairs.

Knowing full well he was being watched, he moved his hand from her back to play with her hair almost absentmindedly while they were being served. Normally he wouldn't go this far in public, but if a certain someone was going to watch, she'd better be prepared to see things get disgustingly sweet.

Anise hadn't been sure what to prepare for, but whatever it was, she definitely hadn't prepared enough. She could have counted the number of times she'd seen Jade display earnest emotion on one hand, and even in those cases, it had been through sarcasm. This level of cavity-inducing sweetness is far from anything she'd expected from Jade on a date. And while Rukia was a softer person, this wasn't something she'd expected from her either.

The entire thing was overwhelming, and she couldn't help but snort out a laugh in the background. Too late, she realized her mistake, and darted behind a nearby table, taking the occasional glance at the bar to see if they'd noticed her.

"'Shy' isn't quite the word I'd use to describe someone like you," Rukia chuckled, folding her hands on the counter while they waited to be served. "Besides, I'm aware that if I don't take the first shot, you will."

Just because they were dating didn't mean she was immune to his wicked sense of humor. That had become evident very quickly. Nonetheless, she enjoyed the games, as she was sure he did too.

Perhaps if there weren't so many people also in the bar, Rukia might have been more observant. Might have. But not only was there background noise competing for Rukia's attention, there was Jade's slender fingers toying with the ends of her black hair, making her scalp tingle, and goosebumps flare over her arms with each incidental brush against the nape of her neck.

She didn't move her head at all when she glanced sidelong at him, for she was shamefully enjoying the attention, but she was somewhat puzzled by his boldness in public. Another coy attempt to tease her? Or was he sincerely interested in behaving more affectionately?

Rukia cleared her throat politely against her fist, a touch of pink in her cheeks. Teasing or not, she had to admit that she liked this. "Ah...I was considering having it cut short."

"But of course. Someone has to keep you on your toes." For a dedicated soldier not to notice an obvious intruder... Dear, dear. He was going to have enough ammunition to last him for a week.

And speaking of intruders... Sloppy, Anise. Sloppy. That is not how you eavesdrop. Jade almost felt bad knowing how flustered this might make Rukia once she finally noticed.

Not quite bad enough to refrain from adding fuel to the fire, though.

"Hm..." Jade turned towards her more fully and brushed some of her hair back from where it framed her face, as though picturing what it would look like with a shorter cut. He had to bend down a bit, tilting his head, to get a good look. "Yes, I think I'd like to see that. Short hair would certainly suit you."

His red eyes warmed with mischievous -- though not insincere -- tenderness. "Of course, it's entirely your choice. You're always lovely to behold regardless."

His grin was an obvious clue that he knew exactly how thick he was laying it on, and that he was very much enjoying it.

"Oh, please."

Anise rolled her eyes. There was sweet, there was saccharine, and then there was this level of cavity inducing that Jade was putting on right now. Part of her felt that she was in a parallel world, as even as she was hearing them there was no way she could imagine the Jade she knew every saying something like this.

The other part of her was beginning to catch on. It had taken her longer than she'd admit, but everything about the way the Colonel was speaking was oozing with the same sincerity as "I'm crying on the inside, wracked with guilt."

This present a new dilemma, however. She was watching them, Jade knew she was watching them, but getting up would be admitting defeat. She wasn't ready to do that quite yet, so she continued to hide behind her table, taking the occasional glance over at Jade and Rukia and praying no one tried to set over here.

She was about to say that it would be more suitable for combat as well, as shorter hair meant it wouldn't get in her face so easily. It was a practical comment from a practical shinigami.

Jade being a flirtatious troll, however, made it more difficult to be practical. Her eyes were just a little bit bigger, and there was definitely a pink rush of heat in her cheeks. She really should have realized what he was doing, given that he'd never been particularly hung up on the appearance of others before.

And yet...

"Er...thank you." She blinked, and remembered to breathe. Then her brow furrowed. "But why do I get the sense that you're only saying that to tease me."

Her senses were completely off, as she'd soon realize. Thanks, Jade.

"Perhaps a little." Jade chuckled. "But it's not the only reason."

His hand moved to cradle the side of her face and suddenly came to a halt, fingers tensing ever so slightly. With the way his eyes locked intently on hers, for one fleeting moment it looked as though, just maybe, he was going to lean forward--

"It's also to draw out one nosy little girl who can't mind her own business." The moment passed as quickly as it had come, and now Jade was looking past Rukia, right in the direction of the guilty party. "Your stealth needs work, Anise."

Expecting to get smacked in 3, 2, 1...

A very loud thud echoed out from a distant corner of the room. Even if she'd known that he knew she was there, she hadn't expected to get called out so abruptly. Thankfully there wasn't anybody nearby, but the staff wasn't going to be happy when they were cleaning up tonight.

Defeated, she got up from under the table. Did she look apologetic? Not really. Did she look pouty? Definitely.

"Booooooo, that was really mean! You shouldn't tease Rukia like that." Maybe if she changed the subject, she could get away from the fact that she was actually the one at fault here.

Smacking was too good for Jade. He'd left Rukia still staring at the spot where his eyes had been locked with hers, and he'd only been doing it for the sake of trolling a teenager. She'd been red before. She was almost neon now.

Rukia's foot shot out, not for Jade, but for the barstool upon which he was perched with the full intention of knocking it over and taking her date out with it. Romance was dead.

"Oh, Anise, how lovely to see you!" Regardless of whether she toppled Jade or not, Rukia swiveled fully around to turn her back to him, all rainbows and sparkles as she laid a hand to her cheek and greeted Anise with all of the pleasant sweetness she could muster. "Would you care to join us for something to eat?" They could make Jade foot the bill.

She really wanted that kiss too...

Alas, Jade stood up and leaned casually against the bar in one smooth movement as though he had meant to do so from the start. It might have been smarter to take the fall and at least allow her the satisfaction of revenge, but that wouldn't be fun.

Uh oh. She was mad.

Speaking up probably wasn't wise right now, so he settled for leveling a look that said 'look at what you've done' at Anise. Because this was clearly all her fault.

Mary had been spending much of her time at this gathering at the bar. With Saori there she couldn't be blamed for that of course, but she'd also seemed a bit distracted. There were a pair of letters she'd walked in with and had been giving a great deal of attention.

After some time, and a drink to set her thoughts in order, she wound up making her way over to Jade. She offered Rukia a polite nod of greetings before turning to the senior mage, "Jade. I wondered if I might have a word. I was hoping you had something I could borrow. A Crystal of Illusion."

"Kidd." Jade raised an eyebrow, inquisitive. "I do have one, but may I ask what you need it for?"

Not that he really needed it, either. Illusionist was a Job he hardly ever equipped these days. Indeed, now that he had Crystal Researcher, having another one just for teleporting was rather redundant.

A sly smirk spread on Mary's lips and she held up a recently delivered letter, giving it a little flourish. "Seems I've been invited to a rather personal meeting this evening, despite having plans of my own." Her relationship with Saori was no real secret, so that someone thought it was a prime time to ask her for her company was rather oblivious in of itself.

"Of course, I can't be in two places at once...but then it occurred to me that perhaps I could."

Oh dear. While Kidd and Saori's occupations might not be well-known, Jade had seen them in battle enough times to be aware of their favored Jobs. Someone out there was feeling very confident.

"You don't say. Dare I ask who was brazen enough to issue such a bold challenge?" He was already digging out his Crystal of Illusions regardless of the answer. Trusting her with it wasn't much of an issue. They'd been comrades long enough.

Mary was certainly emboldened by Jade's reaction, glad to see that he was on board without even needing the details of this. Of course, if it weren't for the sake of a prank she had a feeling she'd have to give him more of a reason. Good to know his heart was in the right place.

She offered him the papers now, letting him have a look, "Our friend, the good Captain. It seems Harkness wants a word with myself or myself. Normally I'd oblige him without any fuss but he's chosen the timing of this meeting exceptionally poorly."

Jade took the proffered letters and scanned them briefly. An amused grin tugged at his lips.

"Good heavens. And extending the invitation to two dates at the same time, too!" He handed the letters back along with the crystal, making a big show of appearing concerned. "Please, do be careful. It would be terrible if you were to get caught up with such an insidious man."

Jack was never going to live this down.

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Who Needs Roses When We Have Happy Hour

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Jade & Rukia | Top-level open for anyone who wants to bug them

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Re: Jade & Rukia | Top-level open for anyone who wants to bug them

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A little late but why not

ahaha... late........

Late frands

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