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#Post#: 465--------------------------------------------------
Re: Staffing the Café, Chapter 1 (accepting applications here!)
By: Chance Date: December 15, 2024, 10:20 am
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max=45%]
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/lucien325-224x300.jpg[/float]
Lucien
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/ooc-information/room-host-and-staff/chance/
"There is freedom waiting for you,
On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask, 'What if I fall?'
Oh, but my darling,
What if you fly?"
NPC | Baristo and Proprietor of the Anywhere Café
[hr]
"Raspberries," Bart says with warmth. "Oh, I love fresh
raspberries too, so I can totally understand the little fella.
Oly is an adorable name. Maybe not a name for an Order of Hermes
familiar, but definitely a name for a friendly little hedgehog."
He cheerfully pours a smidge more of the liqueur into his glass
and sips again. "Spicy and spiky. I never thought I'd go all
rapturous over that, but here I am." And he's sincerely happy,
in a way that would seem rare and precious indeed. "And I think
you may be right. I'm more a cat sort of fellow. Dignified and
clever and always curious. Seems more my speed."
Lucien shoots Maddie a grin and a wink. He's amused, pleased,
and definitely not questioning his decision to let her
commandeer a bartending job. Does he know more than he should?
Probably. Is that going to stop him from seeing where things go?
Not a chance, ladies and gents and other fine people.
Maddie's assessment gets an approving look from the three
club-clad ladies; the youngest-appearing one of the three says,
"Yeah, it does. There's something... kind of ageless,
unknowable, you know? Something like a secret from time before
history, or something like that? Something... profound..."
She's probably about to expound on that when the catfella makes
his pratfall.
[float=right
max=45%]
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jonesy7a.jpg[/float]
Jonesy
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/ooc-information/room-host-and-staff/chance/jasper-jonesy-jones/
"People they come together
People they fall apart
No one can stop us now
'Cause we are all made of stars..."
Charisma 4/Engaging | App 3
[hr]
He dusts himself off with a hint of a rueful smile; clearly he
has no idea that Maddie is anything but human, but his gaze
lingers on the other clientele, and he tips his head politely as
he tries to regain his composure. It doesn't take long, because
cat.
Then, he watches Maddie work. He seems fascinated by what she
adds to the mix, and cheerfully exchanges a crumpled bill (a
ten?) for the glass, and takes a sip.
"Whoa, that's sweet. And strong." He laughs, and takes another
swallow, this one larger. He then bows with a flourish, and says
to the assembled personages, "Hi, I'm Jonesy, I'll be your
pratfall entertainment for the evening. I also do children's
parties and bar mitzvahs."
He then grins toothily at Maddie. "And to you, fair lady of
libations, I give thanks. This is my first time in this part of
the Umbra and I intend to enjoy it fully." And with that, he
makes a surprisingly-graceful little jump into one of the
not-bowled-over barstools and takes another draught of the
drink.
"The pain is receding, your magic is quite adept."
Deirdre and Chloe giggle, while Polly, the youngest of the three
from looks, studies Jonesy with a chuckle. The three share
knowing looks; there might be some shenanigans about to ensue...
or maybe she just thinks he's cute.
#Post#: 556--------------------------------------------------
Re: Staffing the Café, Chapter 1 (accepting applications here!)
By: thesadiecat Date: December 20, 2024, 9:05 pm
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://sharedalbums.b-cdn.net/0b47b93f-354f-4740-aade-9f6ef2232889.jpg?class=mediumSquare[/img][/float][center]Maddie<br
/>Abbot
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high and life worth living[/center]
[hr]
Oh, Bart is such a lovely flirt and he doesn’t even realize it.
Dignified are we feline types, indeed. Well, except for that
chap that just bowled over the barstools that is. He was not
grace, nor dignity, under duress. Clever by halves if I’m going
to be honest. A cat, right here, under his nose, and he’ll
never suspect.
“Hmm,” I muse thoughtfully, eyes twinkling as I study the snack
that is my apparent new boss. “Perhaps I should lobby my new
boss for the approval to keep a bar cat… or a cafe cat… aren’t
there entire places dedicated to that kind of thing?”
Of course, a cat will happen, whether or not the dark handsome
baristo approves. I’ll need to slink around in my fur
eventually. And you get the best gossip by being an unassuming
kitty. Plus, laptime with pretty people is an added bonus.
It’s a wistful thought, the idea of getting a day to be pampered
like the feline goddess I am….
Jonesy is a charmer, that much is certain. His presence fills
the bar with joy and humor. He’s certainly working on getting
into the witch-women’s pants…er… skirts… whether he’s trying to
or not. Maybe I can tolerate having another cat around, after
all. As the witch trio giggles at him, I just have to dig the
source of that blush a little deeper.
“With looks like those, he should be doing bachelorette parties,
eh?” I can appreciate the good looks, especially if it means
getting someone somewhere to blush.
“I’m called Maddie.” We’re all on first name basis here, after
all. “My magic only lies in my dream of being a bartender… a
dream which I have been granted thanks to the benevolence of my
boss.”
#Post#: 598--------------------------------------------------
Re: Staffing the Café, Chapter 1 (accepting applications here!)
By: Chance Date: December 23, 2024, 11:33 am
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max=45%]
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/lucien325-224x300.jpg[/float]
Lucien
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/ooc-information/room-host-and-staff/chance/
There is freedom waiting for you,
On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask, 'What if I fall?'
Oh, but my darling,
What if you fly?
NPC | Baristo and Proprietor of the Anywhere Café
[hr]
Lucien shoots Maddie a smile back, and a saucy wink. Whatever
she's contemplating about the 'café cat,' he's likely to indulge
her. Indulgence seems to be his Thing, as it were. Besides, he's
already got one, right? She accepted the job, so...
Her days of indulgence are just ahead. This seems like just the
place for an enterprising cat to find her feet and enjoy the
warm attentions of people who come for coffee and conversation
and camaraderie. Comfy chairs, a warm fire on the café side,
plenty of nooks and crannies and places to hide and observe,
books aplenty there and delightful indulgences here.
Bart is content to watch the rest of the byplay with a pleased
mien; the trio of mages in Goth attire are definitely worth
watching, as is Maddie herself.
[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jonesy7a.jpg[/img][/float]
Jonesy
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/ooc-information/room-host-and-staff/chance/jasper-jonesy-jones/
People they come together
People they fall apart
No one can stop us now
'Cause we are all made of stars...
Charisma 4/Engaging | App 3
[hr]
Jonesy laughs at the idea of doing bachelorette parties. He
doesn't blush, surprisingly -- but then again, he's a cat. Cats
are good-looking. "I've never been to one; what would I do?
Juggle? Tell knock-knock jokes?" He may be joking, or he may be
seriously oblivious to what the suggestion means; if he's
cat-born, that would explain a lot about the misunderstanding.
He grins at Maddie, including her in his regard, and even shoots
a friendly look over to Bart at the other end of the bar.
"And it's a pleasure to meet you, Maddie," he replies, extending
his hand. "It's a fine magic that lets you fulfill your dreams,
though. Dreams are precious things, fragile as glass yet strong
as steel. Everyone has them, too, from the simplest mind to the
most brilliant of creatures. Dreams are one thing that joins all
of us." He grins at the giggling mage next and says, "Don't you
agree? I mean... I'm sure you have all kinds of them. Small,
tall, large, tiny..."
Wow, he talks a lot.
Polly counters, "Oh, I have a dream, all right, and it involves
your phone number."
Wow, she just went for it. You go, girl!
Jonesy blinks in surprise. "I... uh..." A pause. He looks to
Maddie as if seeking help, then draws up something inside of him
and sits a little taller, his smile definitely more catlike.
There's a moment's sparkle about him, like some larger aspect
had taken over for a moment. "Well, certainly, why not?" He
pauses, and passes her his phone for the never-ending ritual of
'enter the number, then I'll text you to let you have mine.'
But wait, isn't he cat-born? He's confusing.
#Post#: 624--------------------------------------------------
Re: Staffing the Café, Chapter 1 (accepting applications here!)
By: thesadiecat Date: December 27, 2024, 8:35 pm
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://sharedalbums.b-cdn.net/0b47b93f-354f-4740-aade-9f6ef2232889.jpg?class=mediumSquare[/img][/float][center]Maddie<br
/>Abbot
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high and life worth living[/center]
[hr]
I’m purring on the inside, absolutely pleased with how this
particular whim is turning out. If these are the kinds of
people, if these are the futures of my conversations, I’m in
high heaven. If I were wearing my fur, I’d be making biscuits
right now.
Jonesy’s absolute innocence when it comes to the concept of a
bachelorette party is surprising, but… but would make sense if
he were one of the cherished rare few born to cat-parents.
Which also only deepens the enigma surrounding him. He may look
First Peoples, but that can always be deceiving when dealing
with one of the felines. I have a moment to exchange a look
with Deirdre, the wine-loving ringleader of the Goth witches.
It’s a patented oh, sweet honey look dripping with a kind of
Southern charm that I don’t have any reason to possess.
“Should I tell him? Or do you want to” The question is posed
with a wicked grin, and far too much delight for it to be
sensible.
When Jonesy extends his hand, I take it, accepting the purely
human greeting of a handshake without a second thought. He
waxes poetic about dreams and my subversive delight only
deepens. Dreams are a specialty of mine, more so than many
other cats I’ve ever met. He’s right about all those things
too; dreams connect us all, in ways that normal humans, or even
these magi women, or Bart, cannot fathom.
Before I can match his eloquence, Polly just comes right with a
bold statement. Damn, am I impressed or what? That’s the kind
of confidence that’s beautiful and attractive to anyone. While
the make-up might not be my thing, that show of backbone just
made Polly instantly ten times more attractive. I let out a
low-whistle and mock-fan myself.
The only help Jonesy gets when he looks my way is a gesture of
provide the lady. It’s not Kheuar but us cats are more fluent
in body language and posture translations than most. He’ll get
my gist. And catch it, he does. There’s a change, one that’s
deep and effective. That momentary hesitation is gone, replaced
with confidence that seems to fill him from his toes upward. My
eyes dart around. There’s no external source, and no spirit
that I can see. We’re in the Umbra after all, I’d hope to see
something weird.
Jonesy’s phone gets passed through each of the mage-ladies, but
when it’s offered to me, I hold my hands up in surrender.
“Believe it or not, but he’s not my type. I’ll let you ladies
have it out over first night rights.”
#Post#: 628--------------------------------------------------
Re: Staffing the Café, Chapter 1 (accepting applications here!)
By: Chance Date: December 28, 2024, 2:23 pm
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width=300]
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/jonesy7a.jpg[/img][/float]
Jonesy
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/ooc-information/room-host-and-staff/chance/jasper-jonesy-jones/
I wish I could be as carefree and wild
But I got cat class and I got cat style...
Charisma 4/Engaging | App 3 | Tilau | Kinain [Pooka] | lots of
flaws.
[hr]
He's innocent, and it's honest. It's definitely amusing the
others, but Jonesy has enough confidence to not be offended by
the mirth. Hell, he has enough confidence to take a pratfall on
his entrance and still stick around without shame, so yeah.
Definitely a cat.
Deirdre grins and says, "Aww. I'll explain." And then she turns
to Jonesy. "Before a lady embarks on a marriage, she has a
party. A last hurrah for her single self, as it were. Said
parties are usually full of drinking and gentlemen who take
their clothes off for money. Strippers, that is. Though
sometimes, some parties have escorts as well. And we've all
decided you probably look good out of your clothes."
She waggles her brows at him, and he laughs brightly. "Of course
I do. I take care of my body and eat mostly lean protein." He
manages to not purr that, but it's a near thing.
His hand in Maddie's is warm, a little too warm, but that's
familiar for Shifters. Most of them run a little hot due to all
the bursting vitality. He seems pleased at her expression; she's
not trying to hide her bliss at the moment, and he returns the
emotion with a similar cat-isfaction.
And then... Polly. He, too, seems pleased at the overture;
whatever else he may be, he's surely not immune to flattery and
interest. He can certainly catch the drift, and he does,
shooting Maddie a conspiratorial wink and there's something
almost kingly about him in that moment, as fleeting as it is.
He blinks and looks wounded at the 'not my type' line, but
laughs anyway. He points to Polly. "Boldness reaps its rewards.
If you ladies are all taking turns, you get first dibs."
#Post#: 632--------------------------------------------------
Re: Staffing the Café, Chapter 1 (accepting applications here!)
By: thesadiecat Date: December 28, 2024, 7:06 pm
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://sharedalbums.b-cdn.net/0b47b93f-354f-4740-aade-9f6ef2232889.jpg?class=mediumSquare[/img][/float][center]Maddie<br
/>Abbot
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high and life worth living[/center]
[hr]
It’s Deirdre that gets to have the fun of explaining it. And I
knew he wouldn’t take offence. No cat worth their whiskers
takes offense at being called attractive, or others wanting them
to be the center of attention. Except me. I just prefer doing
what I’m doing now, watching and learning, and puzzling them all
out. I have not survived and endured this long because I’m a
flashy cat. Gregarious, outgoing, a bit of a hedonist, I can be
all those things. But experience has taught me eyes before
mouth.
Has Jonesy ever learned the same lesson?
Nope. That much is apparent when he accepts the compliment and
immediately flirts back on the basis of food. Lean protein at
that. He can’t be just out of his first year… his command over
societal niceties is too strong, but he definitely has the
masking-austistic qualities of a true feline-born. I’m getting
closer to the truth of this puzzle. Okay maybe not the truth,
but a truth at least.
And there’s a moment. A certain moment where he glances in my
direction, while basking in the adoration of the women around
him, and there’s a glimpse. A fleeting moment of a regal
bearing that isn’t his. Oh, oh, he is surely no first time
kitten… the boy has the favor of the King of Cats! Lucky
bastard! In my staring, I might almost give myself away, but
turning down his phone is a distraction that might save the
moment.
At least, Selene’s Veil is still holding true, as evidenced by
the wounded expression that crosses Jonesy’s face when I admit
he’s not my type. No trueborn spawn of Gaia is going to be my
type after all. Too much messiness involved there.
I’m satisfied by the dots I’ve connected, and I let myself fade
from conversation like any good bartender should. Jonesy should
get his fill of attention from the three mage ladies, and Bart
is quite happy to watch, sip his drink and occasionally exchange
a few pleasantries with me.
[hr]
It’s much later. How much later, no one knows, because time is
always slightly wibbly-wobbly in the Umbra. But I know it’s
later, because the bar has quieted, emptied almost. I did
manage to drink my gimlet at some point. And before I could
even go looking for it, the bar had provided me with the
solution, and cloth, needed to go wipe down tables and generally
play clean-up. And I don’t mind at all.
In for a penny, in for a pound, as the saying goes.
Movement from the cafe side of things catches my attention, and
I glance up to find my brand new, hunkahunka boss motioning me
over. It’s not like he’s waving a hand or anything… it’s
literally just a head tilt and a raised brow. One more look
around this half of the room, and I shrug. Hey, why the heck
not? I should at least know his name? Right?
#Post#: 633--------------------------------------------------
Re: Staffing the Café, Chapter 1 (accepting applications here!)
By: Chance Date: December 29, 2024, 9:48 am
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[float=right
max=45%]
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/lucien325-224x300.jpg[/float]
Lucien
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/ooc-information/room-host-and-staff/chance/
There is freedom waiting for you,
On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask, 'What if I fall?'
Oh, but my darling,
What if you fly?
NPC | Baristo and Proprietor of the Anywhere Café
[hr]
Before Maddie can get far, Lucien motions Monica to take over at
the coffee bar, and moves through the glass door between the two
to join Maddie. She can sense how tall he is now, and how much
of a presence he presents, even in a darkened bar-room. His
scent is golden amber and myrrh, leather, whiskey, and musk, and
the aroma of effervescent sunlight.
He smiles, and extends his large hand to her in greeting. His
voice is a hard-to-place vaguely-upper-crust-English accent, the
voice low and somehow hypnotic. "It is my pleasure to meet you,
though it seems like there's been some getting to know you
through observation. I'm Lucien. This is my place and it's been
a delight to see you step into the shoes that were empty."
He pauses to allow her to properly introduce herself, studying
her face with avid gold-brown eyes, and there's the faint sound
of wings in the air before the impression vanishes, leaving her
perhaps wondering if she imagined it.
"Are you looking for a job? Because truly, you handled yourself
with great aplomb and grace, and the patrons were very happy
with you. It's easy to find someone with the mechanical skills
to tend bar, but the social skills are a much harder thing to
find. And I like what I've seen so far, and while I don't have
another bartender yet to share shifts with you, we manage her by
rotating the other staff around as much as we can. We're still
new here."
He pauses again, and then fishes in his pocket. He draws out a
wad of cash of various sorts and begins to sift and separate it
by type. American, Canadian, English, Euro notes... "Do you have
a preference in form of payment? I get all kinds of currency,
plus I can pay through the usual digital forms like Zelle or
Cashapp. Since this business is not a part of the actual
material world, I don't do anything with taxes. I don't charge
them, I don't pay them, and I don't withdraw them. So whatever
arrangements you wish to make, or not, in that regard are
entirely up to you."
Tax-free income, yay! He motions to a corner booth where they
can sit and talk in more depth, and stops just long enough to
secure a hidden bottle by sticking his arm through the bar
mirror and drawing out a large apothecary-style bottle of some
amber liquid labeled 'THE ANGEL'S SHARE.' He pours off a double
measure neatly into a glass, then holds the bottle in an offer
to her to partake as well.
Once they are settled in the seats (assuming she's willing to do
that), he settles back, and explains a bit more about the
position:
"In terms of benefits... we have staff on hand who are healers
if you need tending, and if for some reason you need medication
or other health supplies, we fund those directly rather than
involving insurance. You're paid for work, so whatever days you
need off are fine, we'll cover one way or another. If worse
comes to worst, I can summon folks to help us. Also, we protect
our own. If you wind up in a dangerous situation, please come
here, and you will be safe."
He offers a little smile, and then adds, "I know I've been a bit
long-winded here. My apologies for that, but all of it needed
saying. So... let me turn the floor over to you. Tell me what
you would like, what you need out of a job... how you feel you
could serve, but also be served by it."
Lucien settles back and takes a contented sip of whatever 'the
Angel's Share' is -- looks like whiskey of some sort, but it
smells golden, somehow -- and with that, his attention is on
Maddie, and somehow, it feels like a lot more than two eyes are
on her, even if their regard is relatively gentle and approving.
#Post#: 650--------------------------------------------------
Re: Staffing the Café, Chapter 1 (accepting applications here!)
By: thesadiecat Date: January 1, 2025, 8:32 pm
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://sharedalbums.b-cdn.net/0b47b93f-354f-4740-aade-9f6ef2232889.jpg?class=mediumSquare[/img][/float][center]Maddie<br
/>Abbot
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high and life worth living[/center]
[hr]
Oh, oh… now see, this is my type. Tall, dark, deliciously
mysterious, and tantalizing to more senses than just the mundane
five. I don’t preen as he approaches, but I do check my hair,
tucking a stray bit back behind my ear. At some point, I
whipped it up into a hasty ponytail, messy, tousled and
tumbling. He’s captivating as soon as he opens his mouth, with
a voice like a dangerously smooth whiskey. Yup, part of me
could just bask in the sense of him talking for hours and not
get bored. I bite my lower lip from cheekily asking him to read
from the Oxford English Dictionary for me.
Lucien? How that name fits him, appallingly well, in fact. His
handshake is accepted with verve; in some life, I was taught the
importance of a proper handshake. “I’m called Maddie.” I don’t
wilt from scrutiny, shallow dimples appearing as I thrive under
the attention. His eyes fit the whole whiskey motif that I’m
assigning to him, it seems; while mine are a blue-grey that
shift depending on my attire. Right now, they’re hedging towards
a wedgewood grey more than anything else. “Oh, it has been my
delight, purely.”
A selfish delight to begin with for sure, but I wouldn’t be
wiping the tables down if I hadn’t actually enjoyed my time
behind the bar. I tilt my head slightly at the particular
stress on his question. Am I looking for a job? That’s… a
grand question, really. I hadn’t considered the idea until he
just proposed it. “I mean, I was just considering adopting the
place… It’s not often that I get to meet such excitingly exotic
people.”
I was just going to joke about things, and make light of the
whole situation, but then he had to go and flash that roll. I
swallow and hope that the dollar signs didn’t just dramatically
pop up in my pupils. Everything else is just kind of glossed
over at the sight of the cash. I mean, how long has it been
since I’ve had a steady job? When was the last time that I got
paid without having to take my clothes off? The idea is nearly
as attractive as my prospective new boss is…
He doesn’t have to ask twice to get me to settle into a corner
booth with him. He’s got my attention now, rapid and avid.
Especially after the mirror yields him a bottle of stuff that’s
essentially fabled inside the world of alcohol consumption. The
Angel’s Share is supposedly the portion of cask-aged whiskey
that evaporates through the porous wood… as opposed to Jim
Beam’s famous Devil’s Cut, that’s the whiskey extracted directly
from the wet wood of the cask after aging. Stop salivating,
Maddie. I scold myself as I focus on pouring myself a few
fingers of this fabled brew.
Sniffing the contents of the glass once I’ve got myself under a
modicum of control, I let my eyes close while I think about just
how I want to say my piece. “You’ve not been long-winded.
Rather… gracious, I’d say. I’ve been… rudderless for a bit.
Finding this place was like chasing fireflies… lots of rumors,
lots of misdirection, but…” I raise my glass, as if to say here
I am, I found you, and sip from the Angel’s share.
“Oh… oooooh..” That is the sound of pure bliss: the warmth of
the drink chasing right down my throat to coil comfortably at my
core. “Oh, that is good…” Despite myself, it comes out purred
in enjoyment. “Almost too good to be true.. Like the sounds of
this job, no offense intended. I typically don’t get this
lucky.. Most job offers I get are more like propositions from
less than savory types. So a safe job.. A place that will
protect me… that’s nearly a dream come true. So, I’m afraid to
ask, is there a catch?
“I like people. I like learning about people. I like being
around them and talking to them… I haven’t had this much fun in
recent memory… so if there’s no catch… if you’re not some spirit
thing that I’m going to pact my life away to… Then… yes, I’d
very much like to work here."
#Post#: 652--------------------------------------------------
Re: Staffing the Café, Chapter 1 (accepting applications here!)
By: Chance Date: January 2, 2025, 8:58 am
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[float=right
max=45%]
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/lucien325-224x300.jpg[/float]
Lucien
HTML https://anywhere.infinimata.com/ooc-information/room-host-and-staff/chance/
There is freedom waiting for you,
On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask, 'What if I fall?'
Oh, but my darling,
What if you fly?
NPC | Baristo and Proprietor of the Anywhere Café
[hr]
His hand is warm in hers, just right as far as pressure, the
skin surprisingly velvety. "Your delight," he echoes with great
pleasure, drawing out that last word with a slow smile. On
someone else, the gesture would look pretentious, make him
appear to be a try-hard, but on him, it just... fits.
"Adopting? Hrm." He grins at that and says, "Oh. and there's
bound to be much, much more once we have our official opening."
The cash wasn't meant to be flashed, but the effect is there
despite it -- he sorts out a few bills by type and then counts
out fifteen hundred in US currency, planting it firmly into her
palm with a smile. "Call that a starting bonus, then, but to be
fair, I don't run this place to make a profit. I do it for the
things it makes possible. So by making those things possible,
you give us more value than you know."
As they move to the table, he adds, "Especially since they can't
figure you out at all." He carries both glasses and puts hers on
the table before her, watching avidly at the joy in her face,
lit in her eyes, as she sniffs it, and then answers him.
"Rudderless is a hard way to be for long periods. We all need
something to call our own. Someplace to belong, or some idea to
call our own, or just... a measure of land and a star to inspire
us. Finding us is not something that just anyone can do on their
own. That you did speaks well of your resourcefulness and your
ability to think outside the lines."
He raises his glass as she does, and his sip is accompanied with
an appreciative sound. Whatever he may be, he appreciates what
he has. It's not an expectation, it's a delight, in his eyes.
"I am glad you found us, Maddie. The hints I placed for someone
with your qualities were caught sooner than I expected. You
see... people find us because they need us, or want us, in their
lives. We're more than a place to drink and eat. This is meant
as a place to connect with more of our world than we normally
see. Hell, right now you're in a part of the Umbra most never
see, unless they're mages, and you're not."
He says that without rancor, without judgment. It's a simple
statement.
"It's also blissfully maddening that I have no idea what you
actually are, but I assume the presence of a protective spirit
about you is why I can't see your nature. I'm not fussed about
it, though, because if you were a sort who shouldn't be here,
the clues would have been lost."
She asks, and he nods sagely. "The catch. Well, here it is. I
don't need the sort of Pact you're discussing. All I would ask
is this: You do your job to the best of your ability, both the
expected parts like mixing drinks to the unwritten ones, like
offering solace or warmth to the patrons like you already have.
And, no, I do not include access to you as part of your job. I
am a creature who believes, above all, in the will to choose.
You learn, and with time, you let us learn about you as well."
He pauses, takes another sip, and then there's a tinge of growl
under the smoothness of his beautiful voice. There's a moment's
insight of danger, of something terrible as well as magnificent,
under the words.
"But... betrayal is rather a sore spot with me, I will be
honest. If you need more money, ask. If you need something and
someone offers it to you to betray me, and you tell me, I'll
better their offer. I won't tolerate being outright lied to or
turned against. I don't expect you to answer every question
placed to you. Evade or refuse to answer if you wish, but
outright lies to me... I don't like. I will try not to force you
into that corner, as I don't believe that tactic gives the
results that are hoped for..."
He shakes his head, and the angelic light of warmth returns into
his tone.
"That is what I ask. No lies, the truth of your work and the
shared light of your joy for our place. And in exchange, the
money you need, the contacts you choose to build, and a place to
call home. We do have rooms here, more like small studio
apartments, if you need a place to stay. If you would like to
amend that agreement, I'm amenable to listening."
#Post#: 661--------------------------------------------------
Re: Staffing the Café, Chapter 1 (accepting applications here!)
By: thesadiecat Date: January 2, 2025, 8:38 pm
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[float=right max=45%][img
width=300]
HTML https://sharedalbums.b-cdn.net/0b47b93f-354f-4740-aade-9f6ef2232889.jpg?class=mediumSquare[/img][/float][center]Maddie<br
/>Abbot
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high and life worth living[/center]
[hr]
Don’t drool, Maddie. Only dogs drool… But it’s hard to keep my
eyes in my sockets as I ken onto how much cash is being counted
out. That’s more than I make most weeks, no matter what state
I’ve landed in for the time. The concept of the bonus actually
overrides the fact that my skin zingles on contact with him. I
curl my hand slowly around the cash, managing out a very quiet
“thank you” while I’m still recovering from the thrill of it.
That dimpled smile hasn’t left my face. How could it? It’s
like someone’s been reading my tea leaves, and has caused
fortune to rain down on me.
It’s a bright, boisterous laugh that escapes when he confesses
that the patrons couldn’t figure me out at all. That’s the
intent after all! The cash is divided roughly in half, folded
up, and tucked unabashedly into each side of my bra. The action
might call to attention the mostly-obscured-by-my-top necklace
that I wear. He doesn’t press or pry into the why of it, so
he’s not fed any clues just yet.
“If there’s one way to catch my attention, it’s to dangle little
hidden mysteries around me to solve. The whispers were
maddening, at first. Stories of something old, mashed up with
promises of something new. I couldn’t resist following the
trail.” I’ve decided to savor the drink, idly and carefully
swirling the lowball glass around, barely grasping the rim with
my fingertips.
Oh? I’m not a mage, am I? Does he have me figured out that
well? The smile I wear turns the tiniest bit sly, a challenge
to him, then. Make a guess? Figure me out. Oh but he doesn’t
guess. He sounds as thrilled by the idea of something he can’t
figure out as I would be. “I can say I’m no threat to you, or
yours. And the moon turns Her face back to each of us
eventually.”
This is the part that interests me. The proverbial catch.
Because there’s always one. A gift this golden doesn’t come
without a price. I leaned forward slightly to listen intently,
the glass stilling under my fingers, and the smile fading
slowly. I want him to be sure I am listening, picking apart his
every word until…
Huh. I’m surprised the catch is so… mundane. There’s a part of
me that’s almost disappointed by this. I hold my tongue though,
because the pause he takes to sip that whiskey is heavy with
unspoken thoughts. And something very dark and dangerous lurks
beneath his surface. All the little hairs on the back of my
neck bristle in response to some primal sense that I can’t quite
put my finger on. In that span of breaths, I’m not entirely
sure he’s simply ‘just a mage’, in the same way that I’m not
just a bartender.
I ignore and push back the memories that whisper in the back of
my head. Betrayal is the most heinous of crimes… a life before
this life may have suffered those deep wounds. For a moment, my
jaw clenches, and I force myself to take a sip of whiskey, to
wash away the ghosts of memory. Focus instead of what he’s
saying.
Omission does not constitute a lie to him. That’s a safe place
to stand. Evasion and refusal don’t either. So I can protect
my secrets if I need to, and if those secrets would betray
another… I nod solemnly as he shakes his head, and the dire
warning fades from his wondrous voice. “I understand. My
choices are my own, but many of my secrets are not. Thank you
for understanding that. But, there is a moral weight to the sin
of betrayal, and it is not a weight I ever wish to carry.”
Without thinking about the action, I reach out, brush chilled
fingers against his hand. “I am deeply sorry that you have been
on the receiving end of that blade.” The touch is fleeting,
before I turn my fingers to the rim of my glass and gently
resume swirling it.
It’s an understandable ask. After all, this place is something
of power, and powerful men often attract powerful enemies. The
money is nice, the challenge is enticing, and… I can easily have
my fill of people anytime I want them. Without having to take
my clothes off, if I don’t want to.
“Oh, an apartment just sweetens the deal incredibly. You’re
getting to the oh, twist my arm, why don’t you? stage!” The
smile has returned equally with the warmth in his tone. And I
even wink at him. “All I may ask is an easier way to come to
and fro… as you said, this is a portion of the Umbra that not
many ever see, and it certainly wasn’t easy for me to get access
the first time!”
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