002: [visual] consummate businessman

[fogdar]

The feed opens to show Eric sitting in a throne (yes, a throne), in a dimly lit bar that appears to be a shrine to the colors black and red. It is not by any means a dive, but it doesn't particularly ooze class, either.

"Good evening, fellow citizens," (the word citizens contains a generous helping of irony) "I own a bar, located in Osten, called

Comments

[mancalledspade]

It's some time after the message goes out that Spade makes his way to the bar. This is partly because he was debating whether or not he could drink at a place called "Fangtasia" and maintain his dignity, and partly because he avoids the trams when possible. Extras unnerve him. Hell, most of Taxon unnerves him, though he doesn't show it.

Still, if he's going to find out anything about the place, he's going to have to get out and about in it. And he's found that making nice with bartenders is often a good place to start, if you want to stay in the loop. So he walks in the door, subtly taking in the surroundings, and heads for the bar.

[fogdar]

Eric isn't actually behind the bar (no, he has an Extra firmly installed there), but he has migrated from the throne (that was mostly for impact on his transmission) and is now sitting on a stool in front of the bar, perusing some papers. Eric is aware of Sam's presence as soon as he enters (even though his back is to the door), but he looks up and feigns surprise as Sam approaches.

"Ah. I do believe you're my first real customer."

...despite the fact that the bar is semi-busy with other customers. The Extras don't exactly count.

[mancalledspade]

"I imagine the creepy drones don't tip real great." Metaphorically speaking, at least. "Still, you did such a great sell job, I thought I'd clear my busy schedule."

[fogdar]

Oh, how droll. Eric can appreciate a human with a sense of humor. "Thank you. I was quite proud of myself." There is a certain thin irony in that statement.

"What can I get you to drink?"

[mancalledspade]

"You got any decent bourbon?" His instincts are telling him something is up, but he doesn't think he's in any real immediate danger, and frankly, he's interested in finding out what's going on (both here and generally).

[fogdar]

"Certainly," Eric answers, pleasantly enough. He can be quite personable when he chooses to be. "Do you take ice with that?"

[mancalledspade]

"Nah, straight is fine." He takes off his hat, as if the answer to the bourbon question had determined whether he was staying. It probably had. "So, I guess the typical question here is how long you've been in your joint. Beats a dame asking you what your sign is, I guess."

[fogdar]

"Be a dear and get that for me, would you?" Eric directs this at the Extra barmaid who'd been hovering within earshot. The request is phrased nicely, though there is a certain sharpness in his general manner.

"I think that depends on the dame in question," he answers wryly, before continuing. "But if you're asking how long I've been in Taxon, then the answer is a few weeks. I've been in the business of owning the bar far longer."

[mancalledspade]

"The bar come with you, then?"

[fogdar]

"Yes it did," he nods, watching carefully as the Extra prepares the drink, then sets it down on the bar in front of Sam, with a bland smile.

"I'm told everyone brings an object or a building with them upon arrival. Just another peculiarity of this place."

[mancalledspade]

Spade nods, neither confirming nor contradicting this observation. Taking the drink he says, "Cheers," then takes a reasonably large drink. He considers the taste a moment, nods and swallows. "That'll work."

[fogdar]

"Glad to hear it." Eric replies, deciding he wouldn't mind a drink himself. Ordinarily he'd ask for a glass of human blood, but considering he's in company, he'll be slightly more reserved. He raises his voice to address the Extra again.

"And a bottle of TruBlood. O-negative, if you would be so kind."

[mancalledspade]

He tilts his head. "Must be after my time. What, a variation on a Bloody Mary?" Maybe a bar specialty - would explain the name, maybe. He's a year past the Bela Lugosi craze, so he's got at least a glancing familiarity.

[fogdar]

"No, actually." He answers casually, taking the 'after my time' comment in his stride. Godric had explained to him in some detail that people in Taxon came from all different historical periods, as well as worlds, so it's not much of a revelation for him.

"It's a synthetic blood substitute, engineered by the Japanese. There are several different brands, but TruBlood is the one that tastes the least offensive."

[mancalledspade]

He looks the man over - he doesn't seem to be kidding. "...I see." It's not that he disbelieves Eric per se, but he's fairly nonplussed. Spade more or less accepts that he's been kidnapped - no one has mentioned aliens yet - and he's (for now) accepting that time travel is possible. But he hasn't gotten around to people being here who aren't strictly human, so drinking blood strikes him more as a weird fetish than anything.

[fogdar]

Eric makes no comment on that 'I see', waiting instead for his TruBlood to be heated. When it arrives, he drains a substantial amount from the bottle, his extremely pale complexion turning visibly rosier as a result. He turns to regard Spade again, after a moment.

"I've noticed that you have a rather curious manner of speech. Do you mind telling me what year you come from?"