jigokulogs | open 🌙 july catchall

Really? Thanks!

[ at this point, it'd feel stupid to turn down a free drink. he'll be a few minutes - once he's passed on their streaker to other officers, he does at least feel the satisfaction and relief of a mission accomplished. he doesn't have to know for now that mr. libido will slip away before serving even a minute of time. man's a slippery, modern houdini. ]

[ when he shows up again, he approaches monts with renewed energy to his step, wearing a sliver of a grin. now, to be frank - ]

Ha... You're gonna have to tell me how this works. [ whatever guidelines there may be; he's at least figured out he just doesn't sit around for free, alas. ] This isn't something I've done before!

Most people are new to this. I was too, you know, but I guess I liked the work enough in terms of earning personal income.

[Their free drink is served to them in the form of a light vermouth that can be enjoyed over ice throughout the evening.]

This drink is on me for the rest of the night, but they'll let you know what the flat entrance fee is. Otherwise, I'd say you can take your mind off of that and just chat with me instead.

[Monts smiles at Barton as she offers him a glass.]

And it can be about anything that's on your mind. I'm here to listen after all.

[ ... barton thinks he now has a better idea of what this is all about. he accepts the glass, taking a sip as he mulls over her explanation. he hasn't a clue in pinpointing most the notes of flavors to the beverage, but it's very tasty..! ]

Ha. So all the lonely bastards gather here, huh...?

[ --is what he's garnered. this isn't spoken with a particularly vitriolic tone, despite his choice in language. over the rim of his glass, his gaze flits over any of the remaining customers; many simply chatting and looking comfortable with one another. some overly comfortable, probably. barton lounges back in his seat. ]

How do I know you're not gonna run off and tell people 'bout stuff? We're in different factions, you must hear loads of embarrassing crap.

You could say that. Some people find it easier to loosen up around a pretty face or two even if they have to pay a premium to do so.

[Barton's question makes her hum with amusement as her lips graze her drinking glass.]

Believe it or not Barton, I keep my cards close to my chest. Anything I hear, unless a higher-up asks me directly, I'm not going to pass it along so irresponsibly even for a chuckle or two.

Even I haven't disclosed information about myself to people in my faction. That's just how I've always been though, before all this.

[ a premium! good lord, maybe it is better that barton doesn't yet know the price tag attached to this interaction. his wallet can suffer later. for some reason, that monts hasn't exactly divulged much ... even to her own faction mates, doesn't surprise him to hear. ]

... Sounds like you could use visiting [ what is it -- host club? hostess club? it doesn't matter much, in the end, he guesses. ] one of these clubs, yourself.

[ just sayin'. barton then frowns at his drink, the belated realization hitting. he nudges monts' foot lightly with his own. ]

Ah! We forgot to toast. [ THAT WAS HIS BAD ]

Haha! I already have a bar I visit on the weekends.

[Thanks Shylock, good ol' dependable bartender wizard and fellow Tamamo. She'll brightly add:]

Besides, I'd prefer people to pay me to talk to them rather than the other way around!

[GURL...

Anyways, when he brings up the toast, Monts lifts her glass to him.]

A toast then! To good times in hell!

[ well, all right, that makes sense. but sometimes u gotta open up to ppl, monts! barton chimes his glass lightly against hers, then taking another drink of it. agreed a little reluctantly, but agreed all the same, ]

Guess that's the least we can do, enjoying ourselves where we can!

[ isn't that what he's doing now, after all? jigoku certainly is a whole different ballgame compared to illumina; they tended to favor mostly all work, no play. he makes a thoughtful noise. ]

I'd prefer to get outta here sooner rather than later, though. [ he looks at her, inquisitively. ] Wouldn't you?

Mm. Well.

[She sets her glass on top of her lap, giving no mind to the ice sweat sliding down the side.]

I would, yes. But we have our contracts to be concerned about.

Well, I know that! We'd have to complete 'em first to go back, isn't that how it works?

[ more of a rhetorical question, even if he supposes it depends what exactly someone had agreed to; maybe escaping home entirely? hm. he leans forward in his seat, propping an elbow to a knee, then his chin into a hand. he takes a longer drink of his wine. ]

I certainly hope so.

[Monts continues to be thoughtful over her own drink.]

The witch I worked for hasn't told me everything there was about things like magic and such, but I kind of have an idea about things like geas and curses. They can be very tricky and if you don't understand the terms completely, it can be bad for both parties.

What I'm saying here is that I'm... Hesitant. [She glances around to make sure there isn't anyone listening in on them.]

I wish we had a guarantee that we can complete our contracts without incident.

[ barton listens, eyebrows lifting with curiousity. admittedly, while he's unfamiliar with the word "geas" (if he's read or heard it before, he probably skimmed over it), he can make a guess from context. ]

[ and even if it's a serious topic, he apparently can't help the sardonic laugh that escapes him. ]

In a place like this, it's pretty much guaranteed there will be some ridiculous incident, yeah?

Mm. I thought I'd get used to it by now, but... Well, I suppose even a magic cafe is rather limited in what I'd be able to experience.

[She didn't have to be stuck there, for one thing. The Midnight Grind had become a safe space for her to meet others on common ground. Jigokucho, Marianna was all alone and looking after herself even when taken in by the Tamamo Clan. There weren't many that she was allowing past her exterior.]

I won't sugarcoat it. It's been hard even on the days where we can have a routine akin to normalcy.

[She smiles at Barton and it's less pretty and coy and more wistful and gentle and painted with a hint of soft melancholy.]

I like some people here though. I like you so far and we haven't talked all that much. But hey.

[She follows her comment with a grin.]

How can I dislike a dashing man who punches a pervert in a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors?

[ !

barton hadn't anticipated her comments to lead that direction; his eyes have rounded, the smirk slipping from his expression. even while monts completes her thoughts with some cheekiness, he can't pinpoint it as just flirtatious teasing - that would be simpler to contend with. with a snort, ]

Ah... I see you're gunning hard for the tips, huh?

[ -- spoken lightheartedly. however tips may work in this transaction; maybe it's something he's expected to add to whatever the terrifying final bill should look like. ]

If you hanging 'round with a cop wouldn't raise too many eyebrows, it's not like I wouldn't wanna train with you, or whatever. [ clearly. ... but anyway, indeed whatever that means. ]

[The remark about the tips makes her laugh and poke his shoulder playfully.]

C'mon! Don't make me sound like such a money-grubber!

I don't know much about training, but I guess a workout wouldn't be out of the question. Oh, but I wouldn't want to take the place of anyone who's already your training buddy.

[Speaking of, let's get to the good part of her job... Monts leans forward, looking a little eager.]

Do you have an eye on anyone else Barton? It can't just be me, right?

Edited 2022-07-23 21:31 (UTC)

[ barton eyes her; he tips his glass back to drain the rest of his drink, then to set it aside with a slight clatter. thankfully, he's pretty good at playing stupid, but also just... tends to be pretty stupid... ]

Training buddy... Do I look like the kinda guy that would really only have one?!

[ with a glint of pointy teeth, there's a short burst of laughter. ]

I used to have an entire legion to keep in top notch shape! I gotta keep a whole roster to cycle through, keep it exciting.

Oh? Tell me more! You definitely alluded to a rather interesting world last we talked over text!

[She already has the idea that he's some sort of combatant, but the girl needs more deets.]

But don't think I've forgotten about my original question. I know I'm charming, but with your stature, I don't think I'm the only one looking at you with admiration.

[ monts, please. he's gonna tip you, okay! anyway, barton makes a thoughtful noise. ]

You'd have to ask me specially what you'd wanna know 'bout it -- where I'm from is way, way [ ... better ] different from this place, that's for sure! I dunno if it's all interesting.

[ he thinks he's already mentioned this part to monts, but he'd reiterate it proudly and without flinching anyway, ]

I'm Commander of the Second Legion of the Illumina Federation's Enlightenment Army; third in the chain of command, tied with the other commanders.

Wow. Literal and symbolic big man.

[She'll dial it back a bit now and she leans back and crosses her legs just to listen.]

What kind of conflict was your legion involved in? And don't mind me. I know war isn't a pleasant tableside conversation, but I've heard of some nasty fights elsewhere.

[Say a battle for thrones among siblings in the hell winter world that Maxim is totally not involved in! But in any case, Monts is invested in learning whatever she can about other worlds while she's here.]

[ barton's smile spreads. he laces his hands together, resting his chin atop their arch. he'd be interested in their conversation before, of course, but now he's invested. ]

Ah, it's all right. The next closest thing I can do - [ besides raising conflict on a smaller scale here, anyway, ] - is talk 'bout it.

We fight in all sorts of battles! Most of our resources goes toward fighting eclipsites - nasty, endless lil' bastards that appeared long before I was born. [ okay, "lil'" is somewhat of a misnomer, but. ] And despite all the ceasefires in place, you'd be surprised at the number of border skirmishes that go down, anyway.

Eclipsites... You're making me visualize like... giant enemy bugs.

[Is this Starship Troopers]

But if they've been around before you were born, what makes them so enduring you think? Especially since you've been fighting them so long?

Not too far off! 'Cept bigger, meaner, and tend to be deadlier.

[ that question gives barton noticeable pause. it's not so much hesitance, more so that he wishes he could conjure up a worthwhile answer. after a moment, he lets out a puff of air, ruffling his bangs. he waves a hand through the air. ]

If only I knew! It was centuries ago when they began wiping out civilizations. We're nowhere near in as bad of shape as we were back then — took a time, but we're getting closer to finally puttin 'em to an end.

[And yet people still die so young where he's from based on what he told her over EMBER. Monts listens to Barton's explanation, only giving a small nod when he's finished before refilling his glass with more vermouth.]

You got a lot of work ahead of you still it sounds like or at least after we're all done with our business here. Hopefully.

There are wars and conflicts where I'm from as well. Some are more overt than others. I suppose I always felt far removed from them because they were always in places I'd never been to before.

[Her eyes grow contemplative and that air of playfulness gives way to a quiet aura as she looks down at her glass in her lap.]

Though I suppose in some ways, it was hard for me to sympathize, to begin with.

[ monts is pretty spot-on with that assessment. it's going to be a doozy. but reminder of that doesn't appear to change his demeanor; he's determined, damnit, even if he dies for the cause!! ]

I would guess... Conflict is perfectly natural to people! Some just warrant more violence than others.

[ barton nods his gratitude for the refill, taking a sip. he should probably top off her glass, too? he thinks. so he does lean over to grab the bottle and likewise share some of the beverage. ]

Yeah? Because it's so far removed from you, or what?

[For several long seconds, Monts says nothing, letting the ambient noise wash over her instead. The clinking of glasses, and the laughter echo around them and she thinks about how much she should go back to her apartment after this shift, somewhere quiet and silent.

And then she speaks up.]

Have you ever watched a movie before? Or something to that effect? Or read a story on a page or a screen?

... Yeah, one or two. [ he's a little thrown by the question. ] I like reading more 'bout history, though.

[ which may as well feel like historical fiction to him, at times. the pause had prolonged enough that barton had nearly nudged her to ask if she'd heard his question before she'd spoken up again. ]

[ with a follow-up, ]

Why, what's up?

Edited (wow that tag) 2022-07-28 20:53 (UTC)

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