Re: Where the Sun's Always Shining (Alistair/Kegare

Fri Sep 24, 2021 8:49 pm

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A brow raised slightly when he began to speak. She glanced in his direction as they walked, though hert attention was still meandering: Taking in everything around them. The place definitely lived up to it's name. But she couldn't help but feel a sortof.....tension in things. Maybe it was her imagination, but she made a mental note of the sensation regardless.

"IS that all you consider yourself? A Soldier?" She asked him calmly enough as she went, not even turning when she let the question out into the open air. Just a casual question in response to him reducing himself to something as simple as a Soldier. Surely he was other things besides that was he not? "Or is the Vandenreich really THAT strict with it's members?" She asked, glancing toward him at long last with a calm, curious look.

All the same, she chuckled when he asked her about how she felt about it all. The Quad eh? "I think maybe just a bar might be nice." She noted folding her arms beneath that impressive bust and letting her weight shift to the side a bit as she took a moment to eye the surroundings. A good indication of a place was the bars. Sure you had your preppy little clubs and the higher establishments. But those were usually places of ...occassion. The real places that had consistent customers that you really got to know were bars. Places that people went to ALL the time. And they went to places that they trusted. People put on airs in clubs. IN a bar? They tended to usually be more themselves. And THAT was what she was most curious about.

Just what sort of people lived in this City? It would do a world more of good to know that than just looking at whatever fancy poff the people donned at the clubs, and the sort of frillery that the ones running them would do. There was, of course, the more clandestine establishments she could probably hunt for . But bless his heart, the young man she was moving with barely looked a hundred years old. She had no intention of roping him into a visit like that.

Sat Sep 25, 2021 9:37 am

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ALASTAIR EISFLUCH | Off Duty

Alastair's expression blanked as Kegare so bluntly put down the Vandenreich, perhaps she did not quite realise where she was. Or maybe she did, but put some greater stock in this sudden bond they had. Still, he was not in the business of letting such misconceptions stand uncorrected. Tightening his expression once more, his response was calm but equally calculated.

"That is my role within the Organisation, yes. Though referring to it as 'All I consider myself' feels a little dramatic. As for wider membership, there are plenty of potential careers for others to choose from, should they so desire."

Of course, leaving his own job as simply a soldier was also a gross oversimplification. But discussing the inner workings of the Sternritter was not exactly something to talk about on the first meeting with a total stranger, especially when they were just meant to be taking in the sights. Speaking of, she had asked for a bar and so a bar he would find. There were several options right at his fingertips, it was just a matter of selecting the correct place and then grabbing a table.

There were the preppy places or the more down-to-earth ones, each might be what she was actually after but he was quite unable to get a read on her character. Could take a risk and fall one way or another, or just go straight down the middle and pick a pretty average place that was a mix of both worlds. Logic dictated that the best choice was the average one, for it would at least partially appeal to something, but that did not quite appeal to the experience he was at least somewhat trying to convey. So, a risk it was, and with that a decision made.

"A few places spring to mind, but we will be able to get a table and some good drinks in here."

He indicated towards one of several bars packed into one side of the Quad, the places on either side were a little nicer to look at but there was a homeliness to this one that told a different story. A neon sign hung above the door that illuminated the name even in the evening light: O'Callahan's.

The bar itself looked like a pleasant establishment, a little lower brow than perhaps Kegare might have expected him to choose but the place was only just starting to come alive. A few tables full, a few more empty, and a pair of staff behind the bar - tending to whatever drinks order came in.

Not a tour guide | END POST

Mon Sep 27, 2021 5:50 pm

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It was unfortunate that Kegare was not privy to the irony that was Alastair considering the mirror of his own words to be an insult. It would have been interesting indeed to delve into why he would consider something he himself had asserted to be some slight. But she DID have the best next thing: What he said next.

She couldn't help but smile just a little, more than able to sense that something she'd said prickled him a little. IN particular that last bit. "Yet 'feels a little dramatic' doesn't sound like you disagree now does it?" She hummed lightly, an idle observation as they seemed to reach the destination he had in mind. And she couldn't help but give an appreciative whistle. "Cute." she chimed when she saw the name.

The both of them made their way inside it didn't take her long to make her way to a table, taking a seat, looking around as she did take a moment to take in the ambience of the establishment. Almost immediately one of the staff passed by, spotted Alastair, and promptly quickened her pace, getting an order to one of the tables before doubling back, smiling from ear to ear. 'OH! Welcome to O'Callahan's! Lookin to order somethin? We have some PRETTY good food around here you know!' She asked, almost entirely focused on Alastair as she did.

Kegare herself did nothing to hide the amused smile, as she told the woman that she'd just want a whiskey and coke. Though the girl no doubt would leave only after Alastair also asked for something. With that out of the way, the businesswoman turned her attention to Al and raised both brows. "Quite the popular one eh?" She chimed. Obviously he was hardly hard on the eyes, but it wasn't something she had paid much attention to. However, seeing it's effect on the locals, she smiled all the wider. "Wouldn't have anything to do with why ya don't come around here often?" She playfully inquired, highly amused at the notion of the young soldier being mobbed by adoring men and women. Ho ho if only she knew~

Tue Sep 28, 2021 10:41 am

Where the Sun's Always Shining (Alistair/Kegare - Page 2 BRySols

ALASTAIR EISFLUCH | Off Duty

Was the cute comment a sign that she was displeased with his choice? Possibly, but they were committed now. Though their arrival gave him an excuse not to deal with further prying into his line of work and thoughts upon it. Not that he would usually mind getting into that, but the fact this had gone around a few times and she was still digging did make him somewhat wary of her intentions.

They found a table easy enough, which was not too big of a deal given that the evening had only just begun, and soon enough he caught the waitress' eye. After letting Kegare order first, as any good gentleman would, he flashed the staff lady a polite smile and ordered a whiskey on the rocks. If she had given him any more attention than what one would deem the average, he did not appear to pay it much heed. Quickly, the edges of his smile returned to a more passive one.

"No more than any other decent man of my age, I might say."

He was dismissive of the fact, either ignorant of it or truly uncaring for it, in a way that left his true thoughts up in the air. He knew he was easier on the eyes than some, but it was never something that he wanted to focus upon. There was far more to this world than his appearance, he did enough to ensure it was satisfactory and let fate decide the rest.

"But I never said I did not visit these establishments. There is a reason I knew where the better places to come were and offered to take you."

It was not a lie, but a half-truth perhaps. Alastair got out just enough to get by without drawing attention to that lacking, and worked hard to maintain that image. He kept up with the latest trendy places, swung by for a visit on occasion, and avoided being seen as a regular.

Not a tour guide | END POST

Sun Oct 03, 2021 9:10 am

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At this point Alastair had gone completely off the beaten path of what she might have expected him to be thinking. Actually she wasn't even paying that much mind at all as they found their seats. She smiled a little as she watched him, amused if nothing else at his strange stoic and guarded demeanor. And yet, here he was. Taking her out to bars for no other reason than she had wrangled him into the situation itself. She chuckled softly to herself and took a sip of her drink once it was brought in, drumming her nails as she remembered her own phases like that. Just going with the flow, and letting the world take the lead. The notion that this was anything BUT that was not even considered. Even if she knew herself on the fairer side, more and more she was starting to glean that Alastair was definitely not the type to let looks effect his judgement. No less, she might not even hav e the right chromosomes for his tastes.

"Is that right? Well I appreciate you taking me somewhere you thought I'd like." She hummed, tapping her fingers before she took another sip and looked around. A few staring gazes, some of whom quickly averted once she looked their way. It was a comfortable little place. Strange. "You certainly seem to live and breathe that stern militant niche. And yet, I can't help but wonder." She hummed, closing her eyes, considering for a moment before she smiled back to him. "I can't quite shake the feeling that you're only here because of your duty. And that you have no real interest in having this drink with me. If that's the case you can feel free to run along dear. You've shown me around and Ik think I have a good idea of where to go from here." She chimed, smiling as she said it.

Promptly releasing him from obligation and watching him calmly. Just as before, she had simply swung the situation as she saw fit. And just as she had more or less conscripted him into helping her around, she was now releasing him from that duty. Curious to see. Would he stick around? Or simply walk off? No matter what he did it would still provide her with information about him. After all, why WAS he allowing her to string him about? Was he simply feeling obligated? Or was he simply easy to be led about? Or was it something else? She hummed, and gently reached behind her own ear, peeling out a long flask, something that couldn't possibly have fit behind there, and promptly adding a few drops of it's contents to her drink. Waiting to see what he decided.

Sun Oct 03, 2021 11:00 pm

ALASTAIR EISFLUCH | Off Duty

He had wondered where exactly the conversation would go between the pair of them, they were not exactly natural conversation partners. Or partners in general for that matter. What Alastair had not expected was for her to be so direct about matters, and so blunt in her appraisal of the situation. Was it intentional? Did she want to be alone or was it the punishment for choosing a dissatisfactory bar? Perhaps it was another judge of his character and a gambit at that? Even still, he took a long sip of his drink and considered how to respond.

"If you do not want me here, I am happy to take my leave, Miss Alizarin. The last thing I would want to do is colour your first experience of the City with something you do not like."

Straightening out his jacket, Alastair did not move to stand yet but certainly seemed to accept that he might be about to leave. Perhaps he had been too frank in his answers, or maybe it was just his nature that did not quite gel with hers.

"I did accompany you because I felt a sense of duty, but I do not mind the company. If I were to be honest, you seem to be an interesting person but perhaps I am a shade more... Vanilla."

Not a tour guide | END POST

Sun Oct 03, 2021 11:15 pm

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She paused, listening to the young man as he seemed to straighten up? She furrowed her brows listening to his repsonse before finally it clicked. She BURST out Laughing and threw her head back! Covering her mouth before she settled down, shaking her head before giving him an amused look, soft little giggles stipp spilling out before she was finally able to collect herself. Was this for real?! Here she had thought that SHE was the one missing her cues, and this young man was apparently in the same boat.

She shook her head, sighing for a moment and taking a sip of her drink before speaking up. "I assure you, that If I wasn't fond of your company. I would be telling you to leave, not asking you. As a matter of fact, the only thing that's been giving me the run-around is just how much fun you do't seem to be having. IT's USUALLY customary to smile when you're spending time with someone. But I suppose I can understand wanting to maintain a professional look while on duty." She mused, tapping her chin for a moment and then tilting her head. Recalling his words about presumptions before.

"Speaking of. ARE you on Duty? And if so, for how much longer?" She ventured. Did the Vandenriech have shifts? Or was it a sort of standing orders and 'ready whenever' sort of deal? Suffice to say if it was the latter she might have to try a bit harder to get him to loosen up.

Sun Oct 03, 2021 11:46 pm

ALASTAIR EISFLUCH | Off Duty

There was a suddenness to which Alastair stiffened, rather like he had been struck by an attack of some kind, that even he found uncomfortable. He sat there, perfectly still, for a moment before his features flushed with pink. It did not exactly feel comfortable to be laughed at, to his face, and were he a few years younger he might have just fled on the spot to save the embarrassment. But something kept him in place, perhaps it was the stares that they might get from the onlookers or maybe because he knew somewhere deep down that it was often better to just push through tough social situations than run from them.

"I... I have not been on duty since I met you. I..."

So much for that professionalism, he quietly lamented, as the boy floundered in the face of confrontation. It was true that he did not smile easily, which certainly made him a challenge to deal with for a total stranger who might easily interpret his distant aloofness as genuine disinterest. Though, equally, that revelation did not exactly incentivise him to smile any more than before.

"My apologies, I did not mean any offence. This is just... How I am?"

It felt strange to even say those words like he was an idiot having to excuse himself for being one. In fact, forget the hypothetical, that's exactly what was happening right now.

Not a tour guide | END POST

Mon Oct 04, 2021 12:10 am

Kegare smiled, clearly pleased as she watched Alastair squirm just a little, reaching down and taking a slow and steady swig of her drink before letting out a soft sigh. "Well well well. You poor thing, well I suppose I should have thought that was the case. But I'm certainly glad that you aren't actively disliking things. But still, just not disliking things isn't grounds to keep things going." She mused, folding her legs and leaning her elbow on the table as she gave him an amused smirk.

"So, with that in mind. Are you enjoying my company? You can be as honest as you like. There's no need to be polite or anything. I'm a big girl. Certainly I'd want you to feel like this is a good use of your time. Do you think I'm worth your time?" She ventured calmly enough.

Mon Oct 04, 2021 4:25 am

ALASTAIR EISFLUCH | Off Duty

"I suppose I could have departed of my own accord were I not enjoying myself. But it is not everyday that you meet someone from outside the city that is so happy to socialise on the slightest of excuses."

Alastair matched her sigh with one of his own, before knocking back the rest of his drink in a single motion. Perhaps it was bad, but it might make him a little more expressive so, hopefully, that liquid confidence kicked in soon.

"Forgive me for being polite, but you are certainly a change of pace from what I have grown used to. You speak your mind easier than most, including myself, and that intrigues me. Most people so direct tend to have a story about how they got there, and that is not something I would usually enquire about so openly but you have forced my hand."

It was easy enough to admit his inquisitive nature, but it hardly endeared him to her. Still, he was committed now in one sense, so he flagged down one of the waitresses for a second round and turned back to face Kegare with a narrow smile across his lips. It was hardly a beam of joy but, maybe to her, it was something.

Not a tour guide | END POST