cuddlecity | (open) i'm the demon alcohol, let's party

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(open) i'm the demon alcohol, let's party

CHARACTERS: Buffy Summers & YOU!
LOCATIONS: The Deviant
WARNINGS: None yet
SUMMARY: Buffy has begun her new job under Faith's employ (so many jokes to be had), so let her fail to mix your drink and listen to your woes. She really will listen and not just talk at you, promise.

[ Was it ironic? Buffy was still mulling that one over even as she turned up for a night of work in Faith's club. Faith was the boss. Faith was giving her orders. Faith was somehow older and wiser and Buffy was the junior here. The world had turned upside down and inside out, and Buffy had come through a rabbit hole where she was still alive and Faith was now in charge of her paycheck.

But hey, no Hellmouth. No graveyards. No patrolling. No having to pull double duty as Buffy and the Slayer. She could just be Buffy. And right now that meant that Buffy was behind the bar, giving herself a crash course in serving things other than beer and whiskey. The shots were easy. She could wrap her head around the shots. Especially when patrons were already too drunk to notice that she might have poured them the wrong spirit.

Cocktails were presenting an entirely different set of problems though. And this was not something she could fight her way out of, or use Mr. Pointy on. She stopped long enough to pull her hair back into a ponytail and wiped up her latest spill before going back to the cards she had stashed behind the bar to read through for a third time how to make a Cosmo.

Somehow she pictured all the alcohol she was using up as coming out of her CuddleBucks when Faith discovered she was testing out drinks in between serving the paying customers. ]

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[ City exploration hadn’t been an indulgence up to that point; a strange thought, considering never before did he have the kind of freedom Caddle afforded. No Institute, no Valentine...leaving the quest to discover what ‘normalcy’ really was open ended. What did you do in a situation like that? Roam around the numerous metropolitan blocks? Let the night paint itself in neon light and escape committing to any plan? That Deviant ends up his destination wasn’t surprising; a call back to home, the warehouse-turned-nightclub a sister in spirit to Pandemonium.

Moving inside felt like a different world; the thrumming pulse of the music, bass reverberating within his chest, and a palpable tension in the air from the sea of bodies. It couldn’t be helped; how Jace’s lips curled, a smirk flirting the line between appealing confidence and unbearable arrogance. Joining the crowd didn’t endear itself as an option; no, he calmly navigated a route towards the bar, ignoring attention along the way.

Jace couldn’t blame her for not immediately noticing; the blonde bartender, eyebrows furrowed, reading over something before returning to the cocktail shaker. Palm flat against the countertop, he leaned forward, watching, already an interested party ]

Lime juice. [ His voice carried a playful undertone as he shrugged his shoulders, the picture of nonchalance ] Most people like a decent amount of lime juice in theirs. It’s cute, though. Watching you figure it out.

Huh? [ Buffy couldn't deny being distracted, and it was hard to miss as she managed to tuck the palm tree shaped cocktail stirrer in her ponytail like it was a hair accessory.

She tore her gaze from the cards and the shaker, almost knocking the shaker over as she looked at Jace. Yep, she was definitely one with the crowd when it came to admiring the other blond, but no one else was about to knock over a cocktail shaker that she managed to catch with lightening reflexes and almost make it look like it's what she intended all along. ] Cute lime...

[ Buffy blinked, somehow managing to drag her mind from the brief daydream it had entertained and she gave the man a lopsided smile as she set shaker back down and held up her hands like she was surrendering. ] Lime juice. Right. Definitely. I'll, ah, make sure I add it in. But I don't think you're the type that wants a Cosmo, so what can I get you?

[He's still not sure about this place, doesn't have an actual job, but he's starting to feel like at least he's got one good thing going for him. There's liquor and there's alcohol and while he hasn't got much money left (that Rose Creek stockpile will run out at some point), he has enough to go out and have a drink. He's still exploring all the options in town and that brings him here.

He slides into a seat at the bar, feeling uncomfortable at the sleek, shiny, clean look to everything. He's used to blood on floorboards, the stink of alcohol and urine and bile in every corner, and men courting gambling and women in their laps.

He just wants to drink, simple as that. Settling his hat on the counter beside him, he whistles and raps his knuckles on the bar to get the woman's attention, offering a tense smile. Maybe soon, he'll stop feeling like someone is out for his back, but not just yet]

Do you have good tequila? Just tequila, in a glass, nothing else.

[Because after watching her pour a few other drinks, he doesn't think he wants to risk anything but something simple]

[A slow grin unraveled it's way across Jax's mouth. Pleased, certain, and a little bit awed. He turned his head and took in the environment as he catalogued the atmosphere to memory. He had never been to a place like this before. Too young, too busy, too unwilling to risk the consequences of being caught. A football scholarship and then jumping on board a timeship didn't leave much room for nightclubs or bars.

At least bars in places that looked like the 21st century. Jax had his share of mead and ale in Cornwall and Camelot. Slipped himself about a quarter of whiskey in the Old West, you know, before things went to shit. Hell, even before all that -- despite what his mom or Grey might've thought -- he'd had a drink. Or two. (Wine coolers counted, right?)

He had his small bouts of adolescence foolishness. And Jax didn't regret becoming Firestorm. He definitely didn't regret working to help out his family. It just -- sometimes it sucked a little being held back, left behind, due to his age or his own sense of responsibility.

As he approached the bar, an unexpected hint of tentativeness entered his frame. His steps a bit more cautious. But his smile remained.
Part of the appeal of the whole nightclub in your teens and twenties scene - for Jax, at least - was doing it with friends. Doing this for the first time alone, felt a little daunting. Of course, that didn't stop him.

Jax seated himself with a slight shake of his head; amused at his own foolishness and physically brushing away any sense of nervousness.

When he caught the bartender's attention, with the slightest wave of his hand, his grin widened.] Uhh, hey. Could I have a martini?

[Should he say it? He was going to say it. No one was here to witness his nerdery -- though he was sure Nat would appreciate this moment -- well, no one but the pretty bartender] Shaken. Not stirred. Thanks.

[ Buffy's smile was a lot less tense than his as she looked up. Some people might have complained about the whistle, but honestly? At least she could hear it over the music. Music that wasn't even from her let alone some of the other patrons.

That was another thing she was learning about Cadelle. There was all sorts of people from all sorts of times and places. It might have been weird had she not already dealt with dimensions and timelines and magical whackiness. After all, Willow had a vampire twin from another dimension. It didn't get weirder than that.

There was also relief on Buffy's face as the man ordered tequila and she held up a finger before running her other hand over the face of some of the bottles behind the bar and finding the one she wanted. ]

Tequila I can do! And yes, it's good. Totally lives up to the whole one tequila, two tequila, three tequila floor scenario.

[ She set down a glass in front of him and poured the shot - and she did actually come across competent with the tequila. Her eyebrows went up a little as she watched him, waiting to see if he did think the tequila was any good, but then her gaze shifted a little and the smile grew. ]

Oh hey, cool hat.

[ She had to give Cadelle some credit in one area at least - there was no shortage of resident hotties. Buffy could have been quite happy to crowd watch and occasionally drool if she wasn't so busy working and trying to design her own bartending course.

Plans were already in motion for how she was going to set up a bar in her own place. Practice made perfect, and while she didn't think Giles would actually be proud of why she was going to work so hard, he might have admired the dedication. Just a little bit. In his own, former Watcher and librarian way.

Her eyebrows went up a little as the young man added the James Bond line before she laughed, both appreciative of the joke and just a little nervous about having to do a martini. It was a lot easier than half the drinks people wanted, but she was still wary of anything involving the shaker. ]

I feel like I should warn you, Mr. Bond, that this might end in disaster. One of us could wear the maritini. Although, if it does end up a success then I am totally great at this stuff, and you can ignore that whole apology.

[ He watches carefully to make sure that she's not going to pry a bottle of poison or something worse (like rotgut whiskey) from behind the bar, his careful eye watching her go to unfamiliar bottles with strange labels that he's never seen before, but it looks like tequila when she pours it, so maybe they're going in the right direction. ]

I've never heard that before. Why would three tequilas involve the floor?

[ In his extremely experienced life, it takes a lot more than three tequilas before you start sliding your way down there. It's usually around six that Vasquez starts getting acquainted with horizontal surfaces. ]

Not many people seem to wear them here.

[ Gesturing to the bar around him, he pointedly gestures to all the men without them, which is right for inside, but they haven't even set them aside like he has. ]

[His smile brightened at the sound of her laughter. The edge of nervousness disappearing in light of shared humor and the moment increased Jax's confidence. However, at the bartender's description of possible future events, it was his turn for the brow raising. Jax pulled back slightly from the bar before his eyes fell on the drink mixer.] Uhhh -- [But uncertainty melted into a chuckle as he shook his head. And then shrugged.] You know what? Go for it. I mean, what kinda Bond would I be if I said no to a little disaster? [His smile was friendly and his tone had clear easy going reassurance.] It's not like this is my favorite shirt anyway.

[Still, Jax didn't move back to his previous position -- he didn't move any closer to the bar. It would put a slight kink in the night if he had to leave just to change his clothes. However, he didn't move further either.]

My money's on you gettin' it on your first try -- though, [his eyes scanned behind the bar for something.] might want to try on an apron, just in case?

Edited (space) 2017-09-10 04:50 (UTC)

[ Buffy pulled her mouth to the side as she considered whether or not she actually knew the origin of the three tequila thing. ]

You know what? I really don't know. It's just this saying that seems to go around. Probably applies more to people that can't handle their liquor. But you, I assume, can handle your liquor.

[ And if he couldn't, well, at least she had the strength to carry him despite looking like she probably couldn't carry more than a case of beer at a time.

She followed his finger and his gaze before offering up a slightly apologetic look. ]

You can thank baseball caps for that. At least I'm pretty sure. Seemed to kill the whole hat thing. Only cowboys living in Texas still seem to make it okay to wear hats like yours. I mean, I think they look good on the right guy. And I like hats. It's just trying to find the right one.

I can handle it right up until I can't.

[ Which usually involves him unable to control his laughter, making filthier jokes than usual, and finding all sorts of trouble. Given how little he'd had the chance to get overwhelmingly drunk, he's taking advantage now that he can and doesn't have to worry about waking up dead, so much]

Texas? Texas is still around?

[ He doesn't know why that annoys him so much, but it does. Fucking Texas, taking away his land and then having the cojones to actually still be something that could be here, even a hundred and some years into the future. ]

I'm not from Texas. Just so we're clear.

Gotcha. I will keep on serving you right up until you can't.

[ She was slowly getting to know some people's tells for when they'd had enough. At least no one had been too rowdy in the club, and it helped that she didn't have to keep looking out for vampires. Although she was sure some of the patrons could have given her a run for her money if they really wanted to start something.

She blinked, and grabbed the bottle ready to pour another shot just in case the news that Texas was still around warranted it. ]

Yeah, sorry. Still big, still there. Didn't mean to burst your bubble or anything. I can never bring it up again.

[ She held up one hand as if in surrender before pointing at herself. ]

Not from Texas either, just so that's clear too. Californian born and raised. If that was even around where you were. Because I'm taking it that besides the lack of hats and the expectation that, ah, You Know Where didn't make the state cut... maybe a few things have changed.

And to be fair, this really isn't some evil plan and I'm not about to monologue you into boredom, so... [ Buffy laughed again, even as she started to walk herself through the steps of the martini. She might not have been the quickest bartender, but right now she was just hoping for quality. ] I do, however, have a questionable name like most Bond girls, so I have that going for me.

[ At least he was understanding about her learning on the job. Maybe she should get a big sticker proclaiming as such, but hopefully by the time she'd practiced at home for a few days she'd be better.

She didn't take his moving as offensive, maybe even smirked a little bit before she started to grin. There were plenty of nights on patrol and during a fight she'd ended up in something gooey - usually demon blood. ] Honestly, this wouldn't be the worst thing I've ever been covered in. Plenty of clothes have made it to the bin and not the wash. But I will keep you clean, promise.

[ Buffy started on the shaker, making sure to monitor how much strength she put into it; another slight hiccup on her first few tries with a shaker. And then she really couldn't help the wide smile that appeared as she poured out a perfect martini and garnished it with olives. ] High-five to me! And look, you are still dry ready for the lady killing.

I was in California before I was here. Not for very long, but I was. Didn't get to see much of it, though.

[ He'd seen the inside of a cabin on the border, but still, better than Texas when he kept being pushed off the land that his family rightfully owned just because some asshole Texans wandered in and claimed it as theirs. Same as California, same as so many of their properties. but it sounds like it didn't change over the years. ]

Where I'm from, men wear hats. It doesn't matter where you come from, if you're Mexican, Blue, Grey, Irish, or something else. It's polite, having a hat.

I can't really tell you what the place was like back then, but I'm guessing the place is a lot different. I mean, there's the beaches. Hollywood. Los Angeles. Disneyland... none of which means anything to you, but they're fun. To me anyway. Although Hollywood is a bit hit and miss. The landscape's probably the same. Other than all the buildings, obviously.

[ She really could only imagine what it was like where he'd come from. She'd seen what it was like for the first slayer, but that was even farther back. Definitely no buildings of any type then. ]

What about the women? Because I kinda want to try your hat on, but I understand if that's too forward, or rude. Maybe you can bring hats back into fashion here. I wouldn't complain.

That was pretty impressive. ( The words left his mouth with a hint of appreciation; reflexes could be a natural thing, but there was something about the way Buffy moved, hinting at more. Attention to detail had been drilled into the fibre of his being at an early age, willingly or unwillingly ) You know, I was thinking about ordering a long island iced tea, just to see your reaction. ( What better way to indulge in a little fun at her dilemma than watching Buffy attempt to mix all of the elements together in the right proportions?

Leaning backwards, Jace’s smile became more natural, one elbow resting on the bartop ) But I’m feeling pretty benevolent tonight, so I’ll just make it a bourbon. Straight. ( It went beyond simple description; the ability to tell who was a natural citizen of Cadelle, and who had been brought here for...energy purposes. He didn’t doubt she made the same conclusion about him ) First night?

( Not asked in an insulting way; honestly, for everything he had been through, any kind of ‘real job’ doesn’t fit anywhere on the list. He knew how to be a soldier; knew the fastest way to dispatch a shax demon, but those skills aren’t very sought after in day to day employment )

Edited 2017-09-13 05:30 (UTC)

Thanks. There may have been some slight training involved. [ Giles had trained her exceptionally well. When she let him and didn't just rely on her natural gifts. Buffy was still trying to look like she wasn't entirely overwhelmed by Jace's good looks and set aside the shaker as she too leaned against the bar.

After an awkward few seconds where she held her hands behind her back like she was about to curtsy and greet royalty. And another awkward moment where she almost touched her mouth. Her eyebrows knitted together in clear concern before she gave him a lopsided smile ] Oh so you're evil, and hot. Good to know. Also glad to know that I exist for your amusement. I can add that to my list of skills and see if it makes up for my lack of mixing skills.

[ It was a damn good thing she was friends - frenemies? - with the boss. Faith would probably toss her out on her ass if she kept wasting drinks. The natural smile of his kicked in and Buffy was lost again for a moment. While she didn't exactly give the whole powering the city thing a lot of thought, she definitely was now. ] Well, I certainly appreciate your, ah, benevolence.

[ Even if the way her gaze shifted said that another word could have quite easily been substituted for benevolence. She turned to get a glass and the bourbon, giving him a look at the red leather pants she was wearing along with her black top. ] That obvious? I wasn't exactly a bartender back in Sunnydale. I have an in with the manager. Guess she too likes me to be a source of her amusement.

[ When she turned back to give him a drink, now that she'd had a breather from the initial attraction, she couldn't help but notice the soldier under the layers of charm. Once you dated a soldier it was hard not to see it. Even when one was "at ease". ] So not your first night?

[ He doesn't know any of the names, other than Los Angeles, which he hasn't been to. It's too far, too dangerous in case he gets stuck, though it would have been nice to ride south and hit Mexico again, as if there was something waiting for him there. ]

Women can also wear hats if they want, but not as often as men. I knew someone, a woman, who liked to wear hats when she rode with us.

[ And men without, though he doesn't think Red is any indication of normal people, truthfully. ]

Y'know, [ His eyes narrow in mock suspiciousness as the fingers of his right hand tap against his chin; the gesture thoughtful. ] That's exactly what an evil villain would say.

[Although, admittedly, the old school villains were usually obvious -- from his perspective.]

But I'm gonna stick with what I said before and trust you. [ Jax waited patiently as she worked through the process. He distracted himself with some free nuts on the bar, not wanting to seem over-bearing by staring as she worked. ] Maybe when you finish my drink you can tell me what tops cocktail as worse thing to hit clothes. [ There were plenty of things but he was just trying to make conversation. Besides, he was genuinely curious. ] That is if you aren't busy with other customers.

[ His grin is crooked and appreciative when his martini is presented in front of him. ] Hey, would you look at that. And neither of us with any stains to show for your efforts. Not a high-five, but -- [ He held out his hand as he introduced himself ] Jax. Thanks for, uh, not putting my people-killin off on a rough start. [ He adds on a laugh. ]

[ To be honest, it's probably Disneyland that might take the longest to explain. Hollywood's pretty straightforward. And it wasn't as if she was all that familiar with Mexico. She was sure he could tell her a thing or two. ]

And am I allowed to ask who "us" is? I'm Buffy, by the way.

[ She paused to grab a couple of beers for some waiting patrons, much more adept at handling a bottle opener than a cocktail shaker. ]

[ Buffy may have done the Mr. Burns thing, she was even close to just going eeeexcellent but refrained. For now. Instead she dropped her hands and laughed. ] Well, I guess for now I'm done playing hero so maybe it's time I see what it's like being a villain.

[ Buffy looked around, guaging the crowd and how busy she could end up being, but for now things seemed to have hit a quiet patch. Had word got around that she wasn't so good? Maybe. Hopefully it was more of a case that everyone was too busy dancing and getting to know the other good looking citizens. ] That's appreciated, considering we only just met. And if you really want to know, I'll tell you - demon blood. Usually it was nearly always gooey and some funky colour like green or blue. Bitch to wash out of your hair too.

[ She took his hand and shook it, her grip a little stronger than expected for a young woman her size. She checked her strength when she remembered, but sometimes it couldn't be helped. Side effect of being the slayer. ] Buffy. Pleasure to mix your drink, Jax. Hey, I'm just happy that it worked. Seriously. At least now I can confidently say yes to martinis.

You're what now?

[ He's heard some strange names in his time, but 'Buffy'? It sounds more like something he might call a horse or an animal, but not a person, and especially not a pretty woman. Still, if that's her name, Vasquez can only make a face and move on. ]

Us was the group I picked up, before here. I got a job offer, it seemed too good to pass up.

[ Impossible to pass up, too, if he wanted to keep his head. He doesn't sip his tequila so much as finish it, so when she's done with the other customers, it's empty again. ]

Why did your parents give you such a strange name?

[ Honestly, she was used to that kind of reaction so she just held her hands up like she was surrendering since she honestly hadn't chosen her name. ]

Buffy. Seriously, it's okay. Take a moment.

[ Her smile is back soon enough, because it is genuinely all her parents' fault. Her absentee father could agree to a name like "Buffy" but clearly hadn't wanted to stick around to see how she turned out. At least her mom had been there for most of it. ]

Gotcha. And hey, totally fair. You should never pass up something like that. Well, unless there's genuine strings attached. Hopefully there wasn't.

[ She grabbed the bottle of tequila after taking the hint, and gave him a refill. ]

You know what? I wish I really knew. My mom seemed to have been going through some weird hippy - ah... Earth-loving, tree-hugging, everything needs to be peace and love? - phase. But I'll never get it since she worked with art and antiquities, so surely she would have given me a more classic name, or something with meaning. But I guess it's unique, and you can't really claim to have met another Buffy before.

I think I need more than a moment because of Buffy.

[ He doesn't say it, but to him, it sounds a little like a dog or maybe it's just the noise the dog makes? Either way, it's not a name for a human being, in his opinion. ]

Offer was the best one in a bad time. Trust me, not saying yes would have been a worse idea.

[ He still doesn't know how Sam had found him. He'd meant to ask once they'd cleared Rose Creek, but he had come here instead, which leaves Vasquez worried and wondering how his hiding place could have been so badly compromised. ]

People I know have normal names. Mostly. I did just come from meeting a man named Goodnight, so maybe strange names aren't only for people like you. That, or he has been lying a very long time about what he's called.

Take all the time you need. I've had my life to come to terms with it.

[ Her eyebrows knitted together for a moment as she considered what "worse" might have been. ]

That really doesn't sound too promising. I'm just assuming that maybe it was a life or death situation.

[ Buffy was beginning to realise that her name really was a sticking point. But she had to smile at knowing there had been a man known as Goodnight. ]

Well, thanks, I'll take it as a slight compliment. If it will put you at ease I challenge you to find me a better name. I'll even pay for three shots out of my paycheck. I can't promise I'll use the name all the time, but I'll let you call me it.

It was definitely a life or death situation a few times over.

[For the most part, it was the latter, at the hand of his guns, but when you're doing it to protect your own life and save a town, Vasquez can sleep well at night without any guilt. He hadn't been paid up front to save the village, nor to kill innocents. He's never killed an innocent in his life, doesn't plan to start now. ]

Too easy a challenge. I already have a better name.

[He means it too, but the mischievous and daring glint in his eye is coaxing her to ask, while he plays with his glass, sipping the drink and gesturing for her to ask. ]

Go on, you want to.

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