[50] FML

[jiyuna_togabito]

[Private voice to Solomon:/Unhackable]
It was nice meeting you at the hospital party, Doctor. Perhaps another opportunity will rise soon enough.

[/private]
-----------------------------------

[Private voice to Luke Valentine: /Unhackable]
I've spoken to your suggested colleague. She's quite the character I must say. A trump to your deck perhaps

Comments

action;

[haroicsacrifice]

[Lockon was there when Aion came in, tending bar, but for a while yet, he said nothing; he just served the drinks.

Still, it was obvious that there was something troubling Aion, and weren't bartenders supposed to help out with troubles, too? Actually, Lockon wasn't very familiar with that trope, but it was in his nature nonetheless.

So he leaned forward a little on the counter near Aion and regarded him with friendly curiosity.]

No variety? Not going to try anything else?

action;

[jiyuna_togabito]

[The sinner simply averted his eyes towards the man as he spoke. The bartender. He looked back down at the bottle on his table and gave a smirk.]

It does its trick. Though I take if you have something else you'd like to offer me. What do you suggest?

action;

[haroicsacrifice]

[Smirks like that generally weren't good news. Lockon determined right then and there to turn it into a genuine smile if he could, if only for the challenge.]

I'm a little new to the bartending business, but I'm sure I could mix something up that's a little more exciting than that. Maybe a whiskey sour? The sour's in case you really want to hang onto that bad mood.

action;

[jiyuna_togabito]

[He leaned back and slightly moved his chair to face the man. An interesting fellow. He seemed familiar but Aion couldn't put a finger on it especially at the moment nor did he really care to. It was still, however, worth prying the man so he accepted.]

As a matter of fact, I think I'm starting to feel better already.[He grinned.] The use of a sour with Whiskey. Sounds interesting enough though I'd prefer it straight. Entertain me why don't you.

action;

[haroicsacrifice]

Good!

[With another grin, Lockon cocked one gloved hand in a gun gesture--even when tending bar, he couldn't quite shake that habit.]

It's always fun to try new things, right?

[He set to work mixing the drink, pausing only briefly to consult a guide posted behind the bar. It gave him time to recall whether he'd seen this man before--but he didn't think he had. Perhaps on the Network somewhere, but that was it.]

Here you go.

action;

[jiyuna_togabito]

[Aion reached over for it and raised it up to give the man a polite gesture.]

Cheers.

[He circled it once as he took in the scent before taking a sip. The sinner's eyes never left the man even so. A bitter sweet taste. He wasn't much for sweet drinks but it was a nice change for once.]

The sour hint to it. Not bad. [He grinned and placed it down as he continued.] Tell me, what inspired you to bar tend of all things?

action;

[haroicsacrifice]

[Lockon was all right with eye contact (even if he had only one eye to return it with); it was a social thing, and he'd always been good at those. He just smiled back at Aion, waiting for his verdict, and looked pleased when he finally got it.]

I'm glad to know I'm doing all right! This is a new job to me.

[A beat, and he looks away a little, only half-smiling now.]

I thought I'd like to try some new careers in the City. Ones where I can talk to people instead of fighting them. I like it a lot better that way.

action;

[jiyuna_togabito]

[Oh? Now this was what he was waiting for.]

A soldier I take it. Ha ha ha. Interesting. Though once you've learned its feeling on your fingers tips, the battlefield becomes your only comfort, isn't that right? [He curiously eyed him more.]

action;

[haroicsacrifice]

[Something about Aion's reaction tipped Lockon off. He couldn't put his finger on it, but the man he was serving seemed a little too pleased, somehow.

Lockon looked back at him, flatly, serious for the first time.]

There isn't any comfort there. I'm glad it's over, for me.

action;

[jiyuna_togabito]

[That look and that eye, those were good, though he knew the man probably held even better ones. His blood boiled a bit in excitement to the thought.]

Is that so? And what exactly were you fighting for? [He took another sip.]

action;

[haroicsacrifice]

[Although Lockon had grown more relaxed, these days, about admitting his role in Celestial Being and its purpose, he found himself not wanting to speak of it to this man. This wasn't about the others--it was about him, and for once he could acknowledge that. No: here he needed to be both less and more honest, in a way.]

I was fighting for the past. It wasn't a good idea, in the end.

action;

[jiyuna_togabito]

I see. I don't blame you. We all yearn the past. Where the fond memories live though you mustn't have wanted it that badly. [He slightly shrugs and prods the man more. To see just how much he could be pushed.]

What reason would there be for it not to be a 'good idea'? There was a drive after all wasn't there? Or [A pause.] was it all for nothing?

action;

[haroicsacrifice]

[Fortunately, all Lockon's rage lies behind certain buttons, and Aion hasn't pushed them yet. At that poking, he just shrugs. He can tell he's being baited now, and in response, he falls back into casual amiability. He smiles.]

It wasn't for nothing, but if I'd done it differently, maybe things would have been better. There's no use worrying about that now, though. Did you want another drink?

action;

[jiyuna_togabito]

[The fire that had lightly kindled was clearly gone now though it wasn't to say he couldn't spark his interest again whether it was now or later. Aion let's out an amused and audible 'hmph' and decided to slip in a remark.]

There are always ways to rectify something with just the right resources.

[He then downed the last of the drink he was given. He'd have to keep him in mind, that was certain.]

No, it's all right. The bottle I have will do for now.