Last Call ((open))

[Keiran Byrne]

((Open to anyone who might be in The Sticks at closing time…customers or staff))

The place was pretty empty, most of the clientele had already called it a night and stumbled off home. It was this time of the night (or morning, depending on how you looked at it) that Keiran was given to reflection as to what had gotten him to this point in his life. He was still young (though sometimes he felt ancient) and he had already seen a lot of the world. And yet it was in this tiny French village he had finally found some peace.

Since there weren’t too many people around and those left were apt to not notice, Keiran began to conjure the dirty glasses off the tables and into the sink. It had taken a lot of practice to be able to conjure items from a pre-determined location, but once it had been accomplished, it was almost like being telekinetic in that he could choose what he wanted and call it to himself. It also made his cleaning up a lot easier.

The steam rose from the stainless steel sink as he filled it to wash this last batch of glasses. Keiran preferred to do the work as the night passed rather than just all at the end. Most of the staff had already bid him good night and taken off…after all, he didn’t need another bartender and a cook at this hour. It was almost three in the morning and Keiran’s body was telling him that the bed waiting upstairs was calling his name.

He wiped out the glasses absentmindedly, body performing the same functions it had a thousand times before. Only 15 minutes and he’d kick the last people out and crawl up the stairs to his bed. Dog had already abandoned his post and had passed out on the kitchen floor hours ago and right now Keiran was pretty sure that his mind had probably clocked out as well.

’Not too much longer. Just collect the last bit of the money, finish cleaning up, and count down the till. And I’ve given myself tomorrow off, so I can have a bit of a sleep-in and then head to the city.’ Keiran tried to not stick to the village on his days off. Somehow he always ended up back in The Sticks and behind the bar even when he didn’t want to be.

After stacking the clean glasses on the shelf, Keiran turned and leaned against the back cabinets, dark eyes watching the clock tick away the last minutes of the night. ’A whole day off, nothing to do. Except put in the order for the liquor and call the repair man for the tap. Other than that, nothing to do.’ He let out a sigh rolled his shoulders, trying to loosen the tightened muscles there. Even on a day off, the pub still claimed a portion of his time and attention. But considering that one day the place would be his, Keiran really didn’t mind all that much.

'And tomorrow is only a few hours away. If that damned clock would just move a little faster.'

[veronicajowolf]

|| Hope you don't mind me joining, but I just couldn't resist. ^_^ ||

Nikki sighed and leaned against the counter. It was just the first day of another part time job to pay off her gambling debts, not that she would ever admit it. She was in pretty deep at this point, and had to cut back on some living expenses. Veronica was living off the bare minimum amount of food and her size was beginning to suffer from it. It didn't help either that the majority of her money that was left after all the gambling generally went to alcohol. Some habits are hard to break no matter how much of a financial hole she was in. Even though her main bartending job in Marsielle pays pretty decent the money still doesn't last that long. The need for more money provided the necessity of several part-time jobs just to get her rent in on time. As exceptional bartender as she is The Sticks was happy to have her for a few shifts if someone called in 'sick'. Well that and her parents ended up pulling a few strings. Not that anyone has to know.

It had been pretty quiet between the two bartenders during the shift. Usually Nikki was talkative, and if she didn't have something perverted or sarcastic to throw in it was a rare day. However the weight of her problems were getting to her, and her shrinking waistline. For once Veronica didn't mind the not talking. It gave her the time to think, and focus on something she was truly great at. As she thought about it she wasn't completely certain of the man's name. Karan? Keran? Something along those lines. Perhaps he would introduce himself later. Grabbing an empty glass, a can of coke, and a fifth Captain Morgan Nikki fixed herself a drink, letting the ice clink against the edges before throwing her head back and downing it. From the slight warmth that trailed down her throat and began to settle in her chest she could tell it was mostly alcohol. Just the way she liked it.

Veronica watched as he began cleaning another batch of glasses, partially interested in his powers to conjure the glasses across the bar. She coughed quietly so he would turn in her direction. "You clean off the bar, and I'll kick the people who are still here out," she bartered. Flashing a smile, she hoped he would go for it. Nikki simply hated cleaning, it was something she always talked her way out of when she worked out of her other jobs. Kicking out the drunken bastards still strewn across tables or nursing what was left of their drinks seemed much more enjoyable. In fact she was usually put in charge of that job since her powers could be easily lethal if used correctly. However she just used it as a scare tactic, and those smart enough would clear out. Those who didn't would either be thrown out, or have random parts of their clothing combusting on their bodies. It wasn't a pleasant experience, especially when you accidentally tried it on an untainted. With a knowing smile she continued, "Trust me, I can handle 'em even if I am a girl."

Now that they were truly running out of things to keep themselves busy with she got a good look at her companion. He was rough in a way that hinted experience in life although he only looked her age. The smell he gave off was obvious that he either spent way too much time in the bar or he was a smoker. After spending so much time at parties it was getting to be relatively easy to figure out who the smokers were. The slightly dulled actions and hazed look to his eyes showed how much he desired to be asleep at the moment, Veronica on the other hand was wide awake. She had always been a nocturnal one, and her tongue was just itching for a drink. Usually Nikki would have more than the couple shots she'd had during the time she worked today, but since it was a part-time job and she wanted to look decent she abstained. Deciding that she had forgotten her manners, Veronica wiped her hand on the thigh of her riped jeans before holding it out, "I don't think I've introduced myself. I'm Veronica, but everyone calls me Nikki. Jo works too."

Veronica grinned at him, before she continued putting away everything that need to be locked up. On occasion she would look to him for reassurance. He could probably find his way around blind if he needed. Once Jo had finished with that she moved around the bar, throwing her hair up in a ponytail as she did so. Grabbing a rag she began wiping down the tables before sliding the chairs onto their surface. Every once in a while her gaze would be drawn to the man. She knew he had moved here a year or two ago. It was obvious that he was no local, just by the way he talked and carried himself. What would bring someone to live and work in this quaint little town if you weren't born here? It was rather nice she supposed to be living near so many other tainted. "So why did you move here of all places?" Nikki blurted out before she could stop herself. Oh well, what’s done is done, right?

[Keiran Byrne]

((Sorry that I disappeared...real life and all that. Lol.))

It had been a last minute plea from her parents that had made Keiran agree to give this girl a shot behind the bar. He hadn’t really needed another bartender, it was a slow night, but it had been a favor called in and one he had been happy to get off his ‘owed’ list. He didn’t really know much about her other than she needed the money and her parents were desperate to get her straightened out.

He watched her pour a drink (his liquor) and then pour it down her throat. A dark brow lifted and his lips were pulled into a straight line. Drinking on the job was a very big ‘no no’ with Keiran and the fact she hadn’t even kicked anything into the till for the liquor really got under his skin. She had basically stolen from the pub, and therefore she had stolen from him.

’Say something when everyone’s gone. No need to cause a scene in front of the regulars. Not that most of them would remember it, but still.’ Her little drink had every nerve of his body awake now, even if he continued his languid movements as if he had hardly noticed.

As he continued to call the remaining glasses to him, he kept an eye on her and how she handled the remaining customers out the door. The girl was impressive, bullying them out the door with very little effort. Keiran just usually escorted them with a reminder that they’d be open again at 5 o’clock and the men would shuffle off towards their homes. His fighting years had been his younger years and now he had a better control over that Irish temper of his.

It had been a steady night and the two of them had had little time for chitchat, so it was with some surprise he realized that they hadn’t really introduced themselves. She had shown up, he had told her to get behind the bar, and until right now, they had kept busy doing what needed to be done. Their conversation had been limited to where things were located and how much to charge on “special” drinks people asked for.

“Well, Veronica-Nikki-Jo, I’m Keiran. Keiran Doyle. And if I ever catch you drinking on the job again, especially without paying, I’ll kick you out of here so fast your head will spin.”

There, his piece had been said. And as long as she abided by his rules they’d be fine. That sign over the bar stating “No Fights and No Tabs” had been put there for a reason…there was no bargaining either. You either did what he asked of you, or you left.

It caught him off guard to be asked why he had come to San, mostly because the “why” was something he didn’t dwell on. His reasoning for stopping in this little quaint village two years ago had been less of his idea and more of favor for a friend. Unfortunately, his friend hadn’t been able to make the trip, and by the time he had discovered the rumors of San were true, she had already passed from this life to the next.

“Let’s just say I needed a place to stop running, and when I stopped, it was here. It’s been two years and that itch to keep on the move hasn’t returned. Besides, this will be my place one day…and few others have such an opportunity to look forward to.”

He stacked the last glass in place, all of them now sparkling clean, and watched as she finished up the tables. Because he did the work as the night progressed, the last few things that needed to get done would probably not take much time. Keiran rubbed the shadow of the beard that had crept up through out the night, thinking of how the girl had done that evening. Her tips had been more than his, but that was to be expected when you had inebriated men being served drinks by a beautiful woman. It was why he had hired Payton…good for business.

“And how is it your parents gave me a call, asking if I’d let you work for the evening? I was surprised since the request came out of the blue.” He almost added that he had expected her to be more of a hindrance than a help, but figured it didn’t really matter now. They had done quite well for a weeknight and he saw no point in stirring up trouble at the end of it.