orphne | expiation inbox

just a thought I had. Our situations are quite similar after all so I'd like to hear your thoughts.

I guess it depends on where I'd end up. If I'd just be going to some other place, probably not. If I'm going home, yeah. I'd have to.

'Have to?'.

I thought you defeated Nyx already, what other obligations you could have?

It's complicated.

Easier to explain in person, maybe? You gotta tell me your answer too though!

I thought my take on it was obvious already. I'd leave.

If it's that obvious, why'd you feel like you had to ask me?

[C'mon, buddy. Anyway-]

I'm working at Lupin if you wanna come hang out.

because we are very different people, Kotone. I was interested in your input.

Are you going to buy me a drink?

I can try to make you one!

Has Dazai-san been teaching you?

Very well, I'll gladly allow you to put your skills to a test.

[make it colorful and fruity!! Like him]

Sort of...

Anyway, if you wanna keep me company, I'll be here!

[Mostly she serves drinks, not makes them, but she's been trying to learn! Dazai isn't exactly teaching her well, but she is taking careful notes and trying her best, which has to count for something, right?

Should he decide to join her, he'll find her behind the bar at Lupin wearing a suit she thinks matches the atmosphere (vintage, like Dazai's and Chuuya's normal outfits) and her normal smile.]

[Well, he said he'd test out her drinks so there he'll be just in a bit, just as promised. Luckily for him it seems to be a rather sleepy day for bar Lupin, as there's only a couple of patrons scattered around the tables, seemingly content just to nurse their own drinks and what not. So, when Goro arrives he walks to counter and takes a seat, flashing her one of his charming smiles.

Oh, the uniform is actually kinda cute on her. Despite his feelings towards Dazai he does like the atmosphere of the place.]

Hello. You are looking rather sharp, Kotone.

Thanks, Goro!

[The smile she gives him is genuine, at least, though her own eyebrows quirk a little at the charming smile. Weird contrast, not necessarily needed after everything they've been through, but nice to see nonetheless.]

Think about what you wanna order, okay? I'm gonna go check on some of the others.

[It's not crowded, but she is Incapable of not checking in on people before tending to her own needs (a friend's arrival). It won't take longer than a minute or two for her to circle back around and plop her elbows on the table to wait for his order.]

[He only waves at her as she hurries after to the other patrons, and then turns his attention to the bottles behind the counter. He's only familiar with mixology in theoretical level, having no real experience with which ingredients go with which spirits or so. Muhen made sure to respect the alcohol laws and only served him mocktails during his visits.

When she returns Akechi is already leaning forward, elbows on the counter and all.]

I'll have whatever the bartender here recommends.

[She snorts a little bit of a laugh and moves away behind the counter to get a glass and- fill it with mineral water.]

This one, I can't mess up! [With a bit of a sparkle in her eye as she sets it down in front of him. She'll make him a real cocktail in a minute! But first she has to make sure his expectations are low, because she is very much still learning.]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised you're okay coming here, even after what happened with Dazai-san.

[After their fight, she's starting to understand that Goro kind of is a little freak where violence is concerned.]

Ah, so this is your specialty?

[He her a little, taking the glass and sipping from it. Thank you for remembering his weird dislike towards the local tap water.]

Hm, you don't think I'm scared of Dazai-san?

For now!

[Anyway, she moves away from him to pull a notebook out from her apron and start studying the bottles arrayed. Hmmm... a cocktail for Akechi... After a moment's deliberation, she flips back further in her notebook and starts setting aside some bottles. Apricot brandy, sloe gin, ice. If she mixes it right, it should be a nice sweet and sour cocktail, which seems appropriate for him.

She snorts at the idea of him being scared.]

Not really. But if somebody broke my finger in an underground bar, I probably wouldn't go back. You, though? I think when they made the expression "glutton for punishment," they were talking about you.

[Akechi tilts his head to the left while watching her work, paying a great attention to the way she moves her hands. But then she says that and he makes a face.]

Please. I'm not a masochist, unlike certain other people you know.

It's not nice to talk about Akira when he's not here to defend himself.

[Said with a teasing tone to her voice. Her hands don't shake, and she doesn't look nervous at least, just trying to be as precise as possible -- which sometimes means pouring just a little bit. Then a little bit more. Then a little bit more- she's trying.]

You used to spend time at a jazz bar, right? Maybe you should be doing this instead of me.

I-- [AHEM. Akechi clears his throat, still looking pretty sour tho. So, yes. Kotone is picking a right drink for me.]

Why do you think I'm talking about Akira?

[Ew, gross. Anyway, he looks down at her pouring the liquids, raising his brow a bit.]

Yes, as a customer, Kotone. Muhen always prepared the drinks behind the counter and brought them to table so I can't say I have much experience with tending the bar.

That reaction right there.

[She tosses him a smile and a wink. Whether Goro was talking about him originally or not, she knows that description of Akira is correct. And don't "ew, gross," her. She gets enough of that from Dazai about Chuuya, she doesn't need a second pair of idiots underfoot.]

Were you close? With Muhen-san, I mean.

[Satisfied with the amounts of liquor, she adds some lime juice and dumps them into a shaker with ice and proceeds to, you know. Shake it. As one does. Now, she's supposed to strain the ice out, but it's probably fine to just pour it over ice into another glass? If it gets watered down, that's probably fine. A thin slice of lime on the rim of the glass to make it look extra-fancy, and she sets it on the bar with a proud smile.]

Ta-da!

[He'll just roll his eyes at that, letting her know that he's not happy with her assessment. Look, he could have as well meant Dazai!! He might not be into pain but he's into danger and death so!

And sorry, he's very much "ew, gross"-camp whenever it comes to feelings or anything.]

Not really. [A half-truth. Muhen saw the same side of him that everyone else did too. A phony prince with his fake smile and all. But.. he did, treat him differently than the most, not giving two shits about his celebrity status and seeing just another patron. It was something Akechi appreciated in him. And in someway, he did miss the grouchy club owner and his presence.

Akechi leans forward to inspect the drink. Well, it does look pretty impressive! Especially considering that she's only worked here for a rather short amount of time. Must be the protag powers]

So. What's this called?

[She just hums, not certain she believes him. Considering he seems to be on a first-name basis with the man, she'd guess they're closer than Goro would be willing to admit. But even still, she lets him have that, instead grabbing her notebook from where she'd left it by the shaker and flipping the page back.]

"Charlie Chaplin." It's one of the ones that was on the original bar's menu. Dazai-san showed me how to make it, kind of.

[It's Dazai, so that's probably an explanation of the teaching method in and of itself. She slips her notebook back into her apron and takes another look around the bar, making sure nobody's trying to get her attention, before leaning both elbows on it to give him another smile.]

I think it's the perfect one for you. Should be equal parts sweet and sour, with a little bit of bitterness.

Charlie Chaplin, huh?

[He picks up glass and slowly sniffs the liquid, carefully appreciating the subtle hints of the flavors. Unfortunately (??), the citrus covers the smell of booze, making him to overlook it.]

He truly was an interesting person. Did you know that he was actually banned from United States for over twenty years because of his "controversial" political views and actions. He was accused of communism back in the day you see and -- [He takes a good sip of his drink....]

[Aaand he regrets that immediately. The overwhelming taste of alcohol hits him like a truck, torturing his poor tongue and taste buds.

Oh, Fuck. This is somehow worse than the freaking takoyaki incident.

He really wants to spit it out but... Braces himself and swallows it. The tears are threatening gather up in his eyes as the burning liquid travels down his throat. Be brave, Akechi. Be brave.]

A-and Chaplin was targeted b-by no other than George Orwell himself, w-which caused this whole... scandal. [if you think he sounds weak and shaky? Yeah, you're right. But at least he's keeping a brave face!]

[Well, she was taught by Dazai, so... her proud smile fades into something closer to concern as his voice starts to shake.]

Is it too strong...?

[While it's kind of cute to let him go on about weird American trivia, but she is simply not going to retain a single word of it or ask any follow-up questions. Thanks, Goro! Nerd.]

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