multi-pup extravaganza / barways

[mm_overture]

Comments

[cometocollect]

"It ain't a game of against," Mr. Nick says, blowing out a curl of smoke without looking up.

"Our game only takes one player."

[mineintime]

"And a judge," Lu supplies, rubbing the palms of his hands together.

[bendbullets]

There's another woman perched in an overstuffed chair nearer the fireplace, though she hardly looks relaxed.

In fact, if one had to make a comparison, she looks like a cat: eyes narrowed to studying slits, though if she had a tail, it would be restlessly thrashing.

She's studying the man with the cigar.

[canandcannotdo]

Jesse blinks once, twice, the rocking of his chair hardly slowing as he lets out a deep sigh, tendrils of smoke curling from his mouth.

His eyes leave the fire in an instant, finding those of the woman. After a moment, he offers a slow, easy nod - his way of saying good evening without making any noise at all.

[bendbullets]

Her own acknowledgment is small, brief. Barely an incline of her head, though the corners of her mouth do twitch very slightly.

"Is it a night for thinking?" she asks, amusement evident in her voice.

[canandcannotdo]

He smiles, slowly, the expression slight on his face.

"Just a quiet one," he drawls, voice like wood grain, like thick maple syrup.

"Leastways it is for me, miss."

[ofthosegoodold]

Applegate pauses in front of the game of dice, looking vastly amused.

"Gentlemen."

[mineintime]

Lu casts his dice before looking up, nonexistent eyebrows inching up his forehead as a grin spreads on his face.

"Take a seat, sonny."

[cometocollect]

(Mr. Nick is kind enough to pull out one of the chairs at their table.)

[ofthosegoodold]

Applegate sits, saying,

"You haven't been making trouble for anyone, I hope."

Because he hasn't been around and would have missed it, that's why.

For Harry

[blackgoldroyal]

When she approaches him, it is from the side, very carefully not in his blind spot.

(Whether she knows something about prisons or angry men or just Harry Starks is anybody's guess.)

"Really, darling, there's no reason to beat up the bar if you don't like your drink."

Kite takes a seat next to him. She is not wearing anything navy at all.

[onemancyclone]

"It isn't my drink I don't like."

His lips are drawn thin, but he manages a quick smile when he turns to face her.

"It's good t' see you, Kite."

[blackgoldroyal]

"I didn't think so."

Her smile softens. "Good to see you, too, Harry."

(She thinks for a minute about hugging him, but checks herself. Touch, after all, is carefully regimented on visiting days; it's a little odd to see him now back out in a place where those rules don't apply.)

[onemancyclone]

"Tell me you've been doin' something exciting," he says, almost pleading.

"Stuffing teddy bears doesn't do much for a man's soul."

(He's holding his hands under the counter, now. She's visited him before, but the shakes have gotten worse since then. He doesn't want her to see.)

[nowait_letme]

"Cute," says Chainsaw, sauntering up to the devils' table to admire the sign. "Gets your attention, that's for sure."

[mineintime]

"We were getting a little tired of subtlety," Lu says, idly.

"Besides, a little flair isn't gonna hurt anyone."

[cometocollect]

"Not yet, anyway," Mr. Nick amends.

"You want a seat?"

[nowait_letme]

"Sure, why not."

He grabs himself a chair.

"So what's the game?"