Let's Talk Business [SEMI-OPEN]

[limboed]

WHO: Yue Katou (limboed), Renji (rukongai_dog) and his new employees (you know who you are, ppl! Tag yourselves, 'kay?)
WHAT: Employer shows employees who owns them.
WHERE: Bar Hades, Market District.
WHEN: Day 144, 3pm.

Comments

[replica_dreck]

Luke had hoped to be a bit early, the whole make a good impression thing. That and he was getting more than a little restless not having anything to actually do. The light shower of rain had only made certain he didn’t linger around on the streets, wasn’t like he could use the excuse of getting lost with this particular place, anymore.

It wasn’t until Luke got there and his gaze landed on the owner and manager of Hades, but most particularly Renji, that Luke realized he had been somewhat excited. Nervous, even, considering his memories of the last time the two of them were here.

Despite his anxiety, a bright smile was quick to make it on to his lips as soon as he stepped into the bar. “Ah, sorry if I’m too early,” Luke said, sheepishly, after taking one look at what he seemed to be interrupting. Katou... right? He didn't look scary, at least.

{ooc: *lost on how comments are to go, so just sneaks Luke in here* xD; }

[limboed]

Blinking as he looked around from talking to Renji, Katou met the gaze of the rather nervous looking red-head that had just entered the bar. Aah, his first employee. Grinning widely as he fished out a cigarette, lit it and took a quick puff, the druggie hopped off the bar and gave the man a salute.

“Name’s Katou, how’re you doin’? Boss’s fine too though,” he paused for a moment, clenching the cigarette between his lips. “You are?”

( ooc; guess we'll do it like this 8DD )

[replica_dreck]

The cigarette was disconcerting, the puff of smoke drawing up a vast majority of Luke’s distracted attention. Katou managed to capture up most of his attention quickly, with a certain amount of his nervousness gone with the focus off of Renji... the salute, ironically, had helped easy some of the tension.

“Luke fon Fabre, the...uh, bar boy,” he responded with a more confident grin, relaxing. “Nice to meet you, Boss.”

[limboed]

Katou threw the boy who had just introduced himself as Luke another long look. A little nervous, maybe, but he seemed friendly and intelligent enough to handle serving behind a bar. Not to mention that he was obedient. About his confidence, well, they’d have to do something about that. The junkie’s grin widened as he cocked his head.

“Okay, I like him,” he said to Renji over his shoulder, giving Luke a wink to relax him. Turning back to his full attention, Katou asked “You got some experience with bartending, friend?”

[replica_dreck]

Luke couldn’t stop a small laugh at the wink Katou sent his way. So... he’d just passed some test he hadn’t known he’d been going through. Katou was still, decidedly, fun. Despite what Katou was thinking, hearing the little bit of approval had done more than Katou could know for his confidence.

Still grinning at his Boss’s antics, Luke only flustered a little at the question. “Not really,” he admitted, scratching idly at one cheek. “Renji said I would just be doing odds and ends around here while the girls worked the bar.”

[limboed]

“Ah, right,” Truth be told, Katou wasn’t all too sure what jobs Renji had given whom. His absence had left him relatively out of things, especially where the hiring of his employees were concerned. He had let the red-haired shinigami take care of all the details. “Well, ‘s good to have you here anyway," he added hastily, trying to patch up his mistake. "We need a couple of help-outs, ain't that right, Renji?”

At least his manager had been wise in his decision to keep girls as barkeepers. They worked well with that kind of thing most of the time and somehow always managed to master the skill quicker. At least, providing they had enough brain-power for it.

[replica_dreck]

Mistakes weren’t much of anything to worry with Luke. On most all occasions somewhere between his often oblivious nature and inferiority complex, he didn’t usually catch it when important people slipped up. “Thanks! Glad to be able to help,” Luke responded, another lighter smile making it back to his lips easily.

Once more, with the small lapse, his attention drifted back to Renji, a blush working at creeping onto his cheeks. No matter how easily Katou was talking to Renji... Luke dropped his gaze to the floor, racking a hand through his hair, embarassedly asking Katou, “Wa-was there anything else?”

[limboed]

Noticing the slight tension between Luke and Renji, Katou raised an eyebrow at his manager (more amusedly than anything else considered) and decided to let him handle the rest. He was taking care of the employees after all and it seemed like he knew this guy better than he did.

“Nah, you’re fine. Have a talk with Renji, he’ll set ya up. We gotta get this place running by tomorrow.”

[rukongai_dog]

The whole time Katou and Luke were talking, Renji had his eye on Luke. He'd swallowed when the boy walked through the door.

They had a lot to talk about.

His mind told him to say Hey, kid, but his mouth didn't move. He just watched the new barboy, appreciative of his existence and still apprehensive about telling him what needed to be told.

[replica_dreck]

Even Luke had caught Renji’s eyes on him during the conversation with Katou. The nervousness, the anxiety that had washed and faded away when he first met his boss, finally came back. The moment the chance arose, however embarrassed he was, Luke made a bee-line for Renji.

“Hey,” Luke said warmly. Admiration and adoration were mixed when he looked up at Renji, offering a nervous, but bright smile. “How are you holding up?” No matter what had happened, Luke still knew not to expect Renji’s depression to fade away over night.

[rukongai_dog]

"'M, fine - n' you, kid?" Renji replied in a voice quieter than the one he normally used, a small smile on his face. It really was good to see this glowing sun of a human being. He owed this boy so much simply for being who he was.

The smile faded slightly, and the volume of his voice dropped another notch. "Listen - Luke. We... gotta talk. Like, later or somethin'... after this. 'Kay?"

[replica_dreck]

The low voice and faded smile quickly drew up concern. Luke’s own smile didn’t waver, despite obvious confusion. Was that why Renji had been staring at him? He honestly didn’t know what Renji had to talk to him about, but something was wrong.

“Sure, I’ll stick around,” he agreed concern seeping into his voice, before he caught himself and gave Renji a small grin. “No worries, Renji.”