[ happy hour ]

[almosthonorable]

Ben’s behind the bar tonight; he’s been more coaxed than coerced - as evidenced by the impressive herd of My Little Ponies littering the counter.

Opportunist that he is, he may as well entertain himself while he’s here.

He turns to the specials board, smirking to himself as he scribbles:Name a pony

Comments

[alotofgood]

James gives a good look at the colourful plastic ponies, wondering why they aren't moving around, or doing much of anything.

Must be a Muggle thing.

"You know," he says to the barkeep, "I've always liked the name 'Elvendork'. You can use it for both a boy or a girl."

[almosthonorable]

"You do get bonus points for bein' original," Ben says, looking up from the Popsicle-stick barn he's currently working on.

"Which one would be Elvendork?"

[alotofgood]

Hmm.

That's a good question.

"That green one, I suppose. With the four-leaf clover on its arse," he says, gesturing.

[almosthonorable]

Ben evaluates the horse in question.

A pause; a nod.

"Good enough, I reckon. Half-off anything you and Elvendork would like."

[alotofgood]

"Brilliant."

James grins.

"I don't suppose I could get a mug of hot butterbeer? I'm sure Elvendork would like that too."

[almosthonorable]

"You can, indeed."

Provided Ben can find it - butterbeer's an original request, too.

" -- uh, as soon as I find the damn stuff."

After minimal fussing around behind the counter, Ben slides over the requested drink.

And, because he's never without a sense of humor, there's a miniature mug for Elvendork.

[alotofgood]

James is seriously impressed by the miniature mug.

He laughs.

"You, sir, are brilliant," he says, amused. "Where did you get all these ponies, anyway?"

[almosthonorable]

"As much as I appreciate the kind words, this was mostly Miss Bar's doin'," he says, pouring himself a glass of water.

"She likes to hand out these silly things when I'm around, and I've taken a shine to 'em in spite of myself. This is her way of sayin' thank you while she gets some rest."

[alotofgood]

"I didn't get anything like this when I tended," he says.

And no, that's not a sulk.

Really.

"Anyway, it's still a brilliant idea," he says, resuming his cheer. "So, what happens once they've all gotten names? Can they do anything?"

[almosthonorable]

"Oh, you've gotta learn how to sweet-talk her, son."

Ben's not smug.

Really.

He glances at the ponies, and chuckles.

"They can wear their names with pride."

A beat.

"Or shame, I suppose, dependin' on how bad it is."

[alotofgood]

Well, even if he is smug, he'd totally be deserving of it.

Sweet-talk the Bar.

Right.

That'll have to go on his to-do list. Once he figures out how to sweet-talk a big counter-top. (He supposes it can't be any more difficult than sweet-talking the Fat Lady.)

"Have you gotten any horrible ones yet?" he asks, curiously.

[almosthonorable]

Cheerfully: "Dozens."

He picks up one very blue pony.

" Bluebell, here, for instance. That might as well be an insult, don't you think?"

[alotofgood]

James laughs.

"A bit, yeah."

He squints.

"It doesn't even look much like a girl pony. He needs a more interesting name."

Not to mention, more manly.

"Like Pocklington. Or Wilberforce."

[almosthonorable]

"Why weren't you my first customer? You could've shown everybody else how it's done."

He taps the horse on its plastic muzzle.

"You hear that, Wilburforce? You've just met your new master."

He refocuses on the master in question.

"I'm Ben Wade, by the way."

[alotofgood]

"James Potter," he says, beaming.

Yeah, this naming-thing is actually really fun.

"Brilliant to meet you, Ben."

[almosthonorable]

"Likewise, Mr. Potter."

He reaches for his glass of water, and takes a healthy pull.

"You're here from England, I'm assumin'?"