for bamtotheboozle

[ambassadorofboom]

[Fuse doesn't really want to intrude but a free beer was a free beer and this particular conversation had started so damn interesting that it was really impossible not to gussy up a little before looking up and heading over to Elliott's. He's still musing over whether or not that text had been meant for him or someone else. It's almost enough to make him regret the joking dick pic response.

The place looks notably closed when he arrives and he wonders if Witt had waited up for him.

Trying the door, it opens easily, so he steps inside, eyeing the industrial door as it closes and flicking the deadbolt to lock it before continuing in.]

'Ello? Witt, you here, mate?

Comments

[bamtotheboozle]

[Let's face it. There was something Elliott admired about Fuse. Was it because of his bravado? Was it because of his charm? Was it because not only is he a ladies' man, but also a man's man and whatever man you needed him for? Whatever the case, he couldn't pinpoint to it. And now he was coming over to Paradise Lounge's bar. Supposedly the best bar in town in Solace.

At this point, the bar had already been closed so it was probably getting closer to sunrise. When Elliott heard the other man's voice, he had almost dropped a highball glass wiping it down. Would not have made a great first impression. He fumbled with his words a bit as he finally sat the glass on the counter in front of him.]

He-hey! [The nervousness was just a teensy bit there.] You're here! Have a seat right here and gimme a sec. I'm a man of my word, after all! [Elliott went to the back to fetch a few things. A few bottles. Two were local Solace brew, and two more bottles that were much stronger than that. The faint music you could hear in the background was elevator music, and the highball glass? Well, it was in front of Fuse had he decided to sit where Elliott directed him to.

He returned a few moments later with four bottles in hand. The way he held them made it obvious he knew how to run a bar. He sat them to Fuse's left, one right after the other.]

Sooo... whaddya think? Best seat in the house minus all the crowd that comes in and out of here. And no live music. Well, there's the background music in our sound system but uh... Anyway...

[Yep. Still a little nervous. Just a teensy bit.]

[ambassadorofboom]

[Of course, Fuse would've had to be blind, and maybe deaf too, not to notice. He'd seen the way Elliott verbally stumbled around the others as well but the awkwardness seemed to ramp up around him. Maybe it was just because he was a fresh face, a stranger, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't find it flattering.

The pinging sound of glass as Elliott saves the glass from falling catches his attention and he offers the man a brilliant, laid back smile as he made his way to the barstool, still looking around the place and taking it all in. He could see why it was popular, clean, spacious, and far more upscale than any place he'd had a drink at in, well, ever. And was that a bloody disco ball?]

Cheers, mate. [He gives Elliott a wink, or maybe he's just blinking, as he settles on the barstool offered to him.] Real nice place you've got here.

[Fuse tilts his head a little to eye the glass when Mirage ducks into the back. Even the glass was sparkling. Didn't even have to hide the streaks by 'frosting' it. Impressive. His usual haunt had stuck with plastic, likely already tired from cleaning up the glass from broken bottles that they didn't want to add glasses to the pile on top of it.

His eyebrows raise at the myriad of bottles.] Helluva first round.

Hm? Music's fine as is. Makes it so we can hear each other speak, ay? Ya gonna join me?

[He tilts each of the bottles, looking at the labels.] Where would you like to start?

[He's already decided he'll have to arrange for a few cases of Salvo beer to add to Elliott's collection. It's obviously important for him to sample a bit of Salvo brew. Expanding horizons and all that.]

[bamtotheboozle]

Thanks! Wish I could call it *my* own place but it might as well be. [Because in his mind, he was really the only one that did anything around here. He didn't even want to think about how this place was being run while he was participating in The Games™.]

[Without hesitation, Elliott sat next to the man. No hesitation but that nervousness, however small, was still there. He kept telling himself in his head over and over that he needed to not be so damned nervous, stop fanboying, and not be such a try-hard when it comes to impressing him.]

You damn right. Like I said before, I had to make sure you were being tended to by the best, yeah?

[He then looked over the four rather large bottles that he took out earlier as he now sat on the stool in front of them. He opened the rightmost bottle that contained an amber liquid and poured the Fuse's highball while snatching his own nearby and filling it.]

Solace's own brew. Real popular around here. Figured I'd let you have that first and see what you think!

[ambassadorofboom]

Maybe someday soon, eh, mate? What with all those winnings I'm sure you're bringing in. [Once again, Fuse maybe winks... or maybe blinks. Either way, Elliott gets a good-natured, lopsided smile. At least he hopes the Syndicate was paying Witt well. He'd like to think he'd be paid well if he didn't have a massive bill for the 'damages' done to King's Canyon. He'd been told he was welcome to pass the bill along to Maggie. HA. Fat fucking chance. So, at the moment, a good chunk of what he potentially was owed was being kept until his 'debt was paid off'... which most likely meant never.

He watched Mirage pour them both some beer, raising his glass to his new friend and drinking buddy.] My first Solace coldie, I believe. Time to pop that cherry, eh? [Oops, was that way too suggestive?] Cheers.

[He certainly wouldn't claim he was any kind of beer aficionado but he wasn't about to say no to tasting four different beers. Or even better, sharing four beers.]

Mm, s'not bad, is it? [He took another sip, a bit of foam ending up in his mustache. And this was another reason why bottles were better, not that he was about to complain.]

[bamtotheboozle]

[Mirage would -love- to say that The Syndicate paid him enough for participation and for maybe winning *some* games but eh... it keeps him busy enough. He gave a small laugh at that and raised his glass with 'Cheers!' to take a drink before answering. But he couldn't help but think that a small part of himself believes that he was being winked at. He cleared his throat after taking that first drink.]

Ahahah... I guess you can say it pays enough. [Anyone who knew him enough will know that he just plays the games for the grandeur and attention, even if they aren't the good kind of attention sometimes. But he'll never admit that.]

Nah, I wouldn't say it was bad. But hey, you know how it goes. Could be better. Could be worse. I've got harder liquor in the back if you wanna try some of that. Hardly ever gets used since everyone wants the 'usual' stuff around here.

[Elliott noticed the foam get onto the man's mustache and he hadn't done anything about it. He looked at it dead in the eye and wasn't sure if he should say something about it or not...]

[ambassadorofboom]

[Walter wasn’t oblivious to the foam but if he was about to take another swig, which he was, why bother just yet? He raised his glass back to his mouth and taking a few swallows, Adam’s apple bobbing with each gulp.]

Harder stuff, eh? [He looked at the remaining three bottles, raising an eyebrow.] That’s pretty generous of ya, mate. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you might be trying to get me drunk. [He clapped Elliott on the back with a hearty laugh.]

I’m not gonna turn down an offer as good as that, mate.

[Leaning back, he emptied his glass and finally pushed the back of his hand across his mustache as he set the glass back down.] What’s your usual, then? Your go to favorite?

[Not that he was asking for a sample, he was curious. A person’s favorite drink had to say something about them, didn’t it? Even if that something was just that they liked rum.]

[bamtotheboozle]

[So Elliott had no idea why it was fascinating to just watch 'Wally' drink. No, he didn't notice his Adam's apple bobbing as he gulped, no not at all! He totally did. But he stared as Fuse took gulps, fascinated. And he didn't know why. He wanted to know why! After he drank from his glass, he shook his head a bit as if to shake off some thought or to stop daydreaming.]

Y-yeah. Harder stuff. It's not goin' anywhere so if you feel like having some, no problem! [Then came that joking accusation that he was just trying to get Fuse drunk. He got amusingly defensive about it.] N-no! That's not why! I just... like having a drinking buddy, that's all! Yeah, that's it! [It wasn't that he didn't have any but he figured if there's anyone who could take a lot, it's this man right here. Good ol' Fusey.

Elliott watched him finish up his glass so he quickly finished up his own before that question was asked.] My go-to? Oh that's easy. I'll be right back! [With a little of his confidence restored, he got up from the stool next to Fuse and went into the back. It wouldn't be a few seconds before he came back out with a dark bottle that looked something like this: there was a silver embossing of a head of a creature with large antlers on the bottle and in it was liquid in dark amber. He then grabbed two rocks glasses then took a seat at the stool next to Fuse.] Solacean whiskey. Best one on the planet. Goes down smoooooth and burns just right. You wanna try some? [Elliott knew what the answer was gonna be but he felt like he needed to, though.]

[ambassadorofboom]

[Fuse thrived on attention and he liked to think he was pretty good at gauging whether he had eyes on him or not. He had that feeling now and, being that it was just he and Elliott, he could guess whose eyes were on him. He did his best not to let it go to his head but he’d be lying if he said he didn’t find it incredibly flattering. ]

At this rate you’re gonna let me drink ya out of house and home, mate.

[He raised his eyebrows in obvious amusement as Mirage talked himself in circles, cracking a reassuring smile.] Well, if you wanted a drinking buddy, you’ve certainly found yourself one.

[His laid back smile stayed firmly in place as he watched Elliott hop up to grab whatever bottle he had in mind, not shy at all in taking in the view as Mirage walked away. ]

Best on the planet, eh? Then I reckon we better crack it open.

Man, I can’t wait to introduce you to some Salvo stuff. I’ll have to see if I can arrange some imports. I’d love to share ‘em and see what you think.