At the bottom of a barrel

Jan 14th, 2015 02:34 PM

The Bunker was quiet that evening, not many out on a week night to sit under the curved ceiling and drink cheap beer. The concrete floor was sticky with the residue of spilt drinks and the pleasure of wiping down the tables fell to whoever wanted to use them next, so Ava headed for the bar. The low light and thick candles were a cursory stab at atmosphere that wasn't fooling anyone, but she gave them props for at least pretending they cared. It wasn't a nice bar, or a lounge, and often she felt curiously like she'd climbed into a barrel when she stepped through the door, but people left each other alone and the drinks weren't spendy. From what she recalled, she didn't think Ramona would mind.

Ordering herself a bit of bar fare to tide her over, she munched on a fry and eyed the chalkboard announcing the nightly specials. The sickly glimmer of a scale on her cheek or forehead and the pervasive scent of cool water and stagnation ensured her space, at least for the moment. As unremarkable as she looked, damp hair pulled back in a braid and her clothes thin at the knees and elbows, she had felt eyes turn her way as she entered. Inquisitive, she assumed as a stranger greeted her before moving away to a group, but likely nothing more.

She checked her phone, not impatient, but making sure there wasn't a message cancelling their meet up before settling in to wait. If the Ogre stood her up, maybe she could find someone else to drink with.

Ramona Bohannon

**InvertedMonkey** · Jan 14th, 2015 02:56 PM

Yeah, this looks like the place. The Bunker isn't much to look at, and stepping inside doesn't really improve upon that impression. At least it seems pretty quiet. Ramona doesn't make a big show when she walks into the lounge. She steps to the side, glancing left and right to check the corners, then focusing on the Changeling at the bar. Her boots clap against the floor, announcing her presence as she strides forward to meet her.

Ramona looks... about the same as when she left. Except that she's smiling. Just a small one, a little curling of her lips. Otherwise, the same. Everything looks a little worn, from the stone scraping through the skin over her knuckles, to the sheathe of the knife hanging from her waist, to her faded, torn jeans and scuffed Doc Martens. But it's kind of a good worn, from long use.

"Ava," she greets, closing the last few steps to the Scrivener, "Good to see you," the words are kind of a surprise to her even as they come out of her mouth. It's not like she and Ava knew each other that well before Ramona up and vanished on her. Yet for some reason, it is kinda good to see her.

Jan 16th, 2015 06:37 PM

Dark eyes glanced over at the sound of approaching feet, more out of reflex than anything else. But lo and behold, an Ogre. Ava straightened and turned to greet her fellow Lost, an answering smile pulling her wide mouth. "Hey Ramona, good to see you too." She held out a bony hand to shake, a reintroduction of sorts. While their brief interactions before had been interesting, she still didn't know quite what to make of her; the last time they sat down to talk it didn't feel like they were quite on the same wavelength. Still, she'd liked her alright.

"I haven't ordered yet; figured we could do that and scope out a table once you got here. Fry?" She pushed the small basket of greasy fries toward the other woman before nabbing a menu and placing it between them.

**InvertedMonkey** · Jan 17th, 2015 11:03 AM

Ramona shakes Ava's hand and nods in approval of her plan. "Thanks," she says, reaching for a fry and popping it in her mouth. She glances down at the menu, leaning against the bar next to Ava, as she chews and swallows. "Mm, god help me, but I think I've got to order the biggest, greasiest cheeseburger on this menu," she comments with a hungry but amused tone, looking over the options. I'll have salad tomorrow, she promises herself, after a run. Today, I just want a god damn American cheeseburger. She straightens, and glances again around the lounge, "How 'bout over there?" She suggests, indicating a table near the back of the restaurant, which might allow them to keep an eye on both the front door and the kitchen access.

Jan 20th, 2015 03:20 AM

The fish-woman's slender, translucent teeth were bared in a grin as Ramona decided on a burger. "They're good for the soul, on occasion. Myself, I'm thinking about the fish and chips, though I might overdose on fries." Some mixture of challenge and curiosity glimmered in her eye, not unfriendly but simply attempting to measure response; she'd been reluctant to eat fish in front of other Lost for some time. It felt a little too telling, too personal- but how should anyone else know that? If it made an Ogre uncomfortable, that seemed like a solid social gauge for Things Not to Do.

"And that table looks fine, nice and out of the way." She flagged down one of the women behind the bar and made her order, the fish and chips as threatened along with a cheap well drink. Tab opened, she moved out of the way so Ramona could order and began to pull napkins from a dispenser. They'd need them.

**InvertedMonkey** · Jan 20th, 2015 01:18 PM

It's more the challenge in Ava's expression than the Scrivener's order that gives Ramona a moment's pause. She connects the dots quickly enough though. Fish woman. Ordering fish to eat. Huh. Well, it's not as though fish don't eat each other all the time, eh? She doesn't give it much further thought, placing her order for a big, mean cheeseburger. With bacon. Oh yeah. And a beer. "Well they say the first step is admitting you've got a problem," she replies to Ava, mouth twitching up, "But I won't tell if you won't."

She pushes away from the bar and walks back over to the table she's staked out. She pulls out her own chair and settles into it.

**Kyle Ferlen** · Jan 21st, 2015 05:36 PM

Feeling like going out, but not feeling like spending a lot of money or performing for his next drink, Kyle enters The Bunker. He pulls the bill of the white and black ball cap down low, covering his face a little. Tonight he isn't in the mood to be recognized. He isn't really in the mood for anything, which is why he sorely needs a drink. Some dick had almost hit him when he was crossing the street, and he is in a rare mood. That probably isn't why he's upset, but he tells himself it is.

He walks towards the bar, glancing at the other patrons as he passes close enough to see them. It seems a quiet enough spot. He sits down a little ways from everyone else at the bar and orders a drink.

"Can I get whatever is on tap? Something dark, if you have any." He rubs his chin where a half week's worth of beard was growing in. "Actually... can you go ahead and give me two? Please." He flashes a smile. Even in a piss-poor mood, the Minstrel can't help being polite. Though if that jerk in the Cadillac shows up here he might reconsider. He leans over the bar to get comfortable and listens to the little pockets of conversation, completely oblivious to the presence of two others 'like him'.

-1 Glamour for hardened Mask

Jan 21st, 2015 08:51 PM

Ramona's lack of reaction was almost comforting; either it didn't matter, or she didn't care. Or both. Maybe it's not a big deal after all..? Or maybe she's being polite. Or she has a good poker face. Ava Campbell, patron saint of overthinkers, returned the Ogre's gentle teasing with an expression of mock-gratitude. "You're so kind. Enabler."

This was so much easier than last time. Maybe they had fudged things a little by trying to have such a serious conversation before they really knew each other, but it wasn't like Ramona could have planned when she would need someone to talk to. In a small way the Nix was flattered that she'd even gotten the call, a rosier view of the past settling into place as the present exceeded her expectations. In more ways than one, as a rather handsome man took a seat at the bar a couple stools down. It was really his voice that caught her attention, enough so that she paused to listen and looked back to find her drink had arrived, miraculously.

Well, she couldn't sit there all night eavesdropping on this guy just because he had a nice voice, especially with Ramona waiting at the table. Drink in one hand and a fistful of napkins in the other, she slid down from the barstool and set off. Pulling up another chair, she settled down and proceeded to wipe off the table as best she could.

"The food's good, I promise," she said, semi apologetically.

**InvertedMonkey** · Jan 22nd, 2015 02:37 PM

"Hope so," she replies with an awkward grimace as she notices the grime on the table. She takes a few napkins from where Ava's left them, and helps the Scrivener give it a quick brush off. Well, it's not too bad. And the sight-lines here are good. At one point her eyes raise to the guy at the bar, but for the moment she focuses on Ava. The closest thing she's got to a friend in the Freehold. God that sounded pathetic, she thinks of her own thought, chastising. Her shoulders stiffen, then ease back, as she orders herself Relax. You're making an effort here. Don't stress out about it, just be yourself.

"If you're gonna overdose on soul food, it should at least be worth it, right?" She continues their back and forth with a light-hearted tone. She might have gone on, but from just beyond their table there's a mighty crash. A waitress emerging from the kitchen slips on a stray ice cube, and her tray hits the floor, glass and ceramic shattering and food going everywhere. A few of the bar patrons whistle and applaud the spectacular crash, bringing a blush to the server's cheeks. Ramona grimaces, glancing at Ava, then taking a step forward to pick up a shard of plate pass it back to the woman trying to swiftly collect as much of the mess as she can.

**Kyle Ferlen** · Jan 23rd, 2015 06:22 PM

Waiting for his drinks to arrive, Kyle takes off his hat and sets it on the bar. He runs a hand over his face, disheveling his features a bit in a dramatic display. Kinda miss Nathan's mouth right now. Never a dull moment. Thinking about it makes the Minstrel grin. Just a bit.

Kyle takes a long pull from his first beer - then nearly sprays it all over at the sudden crash and commotion. His head turns quickly to follow the sound, out of habit. Obviously some woman had dropped something, by the sound. Some of the crowd apparently thinks its cool to make jokes and mock her misfortune. Not cool. He sets down his drink with a loud clack and addresses no one and everyone at once.

"Yeah? You gonna sit there and freakin' gawk or, I dunno, actually help her out!?" Much louder and harsher than he intended. Still, some of these people could use a lesson in manners. He stands up to go do just that; help. He hurries over, kneels down and begins to grab some of the broken mess - realizing that someone had beat him to it. The almost electric 'tang' of metal reaches his nose and tongue. Its coming from a girl who just seems a little oddly shaped. Kyle offers a polite nod, expression becoming thoughtful as he does what he can to contribute.

Turning back to the unfortunate waitress, he speaks just above a whisper. "You alright, miss? Forget them." Smiling compassionately, he offers her a conspiratorial wink. Then he stands, brushing himself off as he does, before looking back to Ramona. "Props. I think I'da lost in a minute if someone didn't start making sense."

At the bottom of a barrel

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