Backwhen[Davie]

It seems like around Heaven's Door there's only slow days, at the moment she was the only living soul there, with the rest of staff busy. With the clients served she just cleaned the counter that gathered dust. The girl sighed in her loneliness, drifting away in her own thoughts while listening to the Jukebox. She wanted a day off, go to an empty beach with a cutie and sharing cold drinks all day while enjoying the warm sunlight on their skin. Not that she didn't enjoy her work, it was interesting for sure, but a sunny day at the beach would be a nice break from the dark yet chill Heaven's Door. Not that it was possible, being stuck in Endymion and with no beach shore in sight.

Small crowd tonight. One could assume that the good people of Endymion were upstanding and gentle folk from the lack of personage in this joint. Ofcourse, the few people who were here knew that wasn't the case. Maybe there was some reason. Some ill omen on the wind that these devil-scarred people could sniff coming. Like dogs scenting the wind and bolting. Still, nights like this weren't awful. It was empty nights like this when Davie got to play. Less crowd meant less expectation. Meant he could really play around, feel the music and maybe woo a woman or two on that alone.

"You couldn't deny the power of the saxophone to move the heart and boil the blood." That's what his old mentor had said. "That's why they call it the bitch whistle. Master this thing, and they'll come running." Of course, the old man's wife hit him after he'd said that. The whole exchange had been a bit too romantic for Davie's taste. It wasn't the sort of romance that led you to bed, but the sort that led you to the grave with a ring on your finger. The kind of romance that fell apart and riled a man up to violence and losing all sense. Not something Davie was interested in.

But he was interested in the music. A force that moved hearts and minds without reservation or expectation. If ever the world had known a wholesome kind of magic, it was the blues.

But you can only entertain an empty room so long before you have to admit a fruitless venture. As much as he liked cash, he felt bad taking money for a profitless gig. So he let the low note he was playing ebb, falling into silence, and slid Sweet Sister into her case. The Saxaphone's case latched safely closed and leaned comfortably against the wall near the bar, the tall man came to sit at the bar, pulling a cigarette from the breast pocket of his coat. She'd set the Jukebox to playing after he stopped, and now as he took his seat, the man was forced by the down turn of her pretty eyes to say something.


He offered the girl at the bar a crooked grin. She was a fox, in that dark and mysterious sort of way, and he'd only had occasion to talk to her once or twice, and never for long. If he was honest, it was because he didn't want to do what he did best and ruin his reputation with this place - he happened to like this one. But it was dark, and empty, and damn him if he didn't feel a little contrary this evening.

Blake was pulled out from her self induced trance by the man's smooth voice. She had to take a second or two to situate herself and stop her beach fantasies, focus on the moment. It was Davie, a musician who played at Heaven's Door from time to time, and although Blake was familiar with him the two had never really talked. She received his grin with a small smile of her own, the same one she gave every client. But its not like they could tell.


The bartender stopped polishing the counter, watching the musician. She wondered if something got onto him to break the routine, but she didn't mind. Even if the saxophone player struck her as the casanova type it was nice to have someone to talk to and he was polite, unlike some people who have said some less than tasteful comments towards her. In response she would give an exaggerated, and almost cartoonish, sigh.

"Davie, right? I don't think i ever told you this but you are good with the saxophone." Her father was a jazz musician, so she had some extra appreciation for it. It was nostalgic even. "I'm Blake by the way. The boss isn't around tonight and i'm the only staff available. Will you be having anything?"

She had a nice smile, even if it was a bit forced. It brought smile from Davie in return. It was reflex, years of smooth talking and playing the game. But it wasn't a smile he didn't mean. He always tried to mean it at the very least, even if it served a purpose. This time though, it was just a show of mutual understanding. Born broken, huh? Davie's eyes soften, revealing something of the man behind the mask, and he took a drag of his cigarette before replying. "Born broken huh? Well you might just be onto something there." He locked up his features again, putting the memories of what it meant to be born broken away for the time being. He'd have time to brood later when he got back to his shack of an apartment.

Her exaggerated sigh caused him to chuckled a little bit. And damn it, if it didn't make him feel a bit chivalrous. If only ironically. Eyebrow raised, he considered. Did he want to drink in earnest tonight, or was he playing a game? It took him a moment to decide, though it probably looked like a man decided whether his plan was to have fun or forget himself. "I'm a simple man of music, Madam." He bowed with a coy smile, "But thank you for the compliment." he followed, sounding more sincere. He'd heard compliments before. It happened when you honed your skill at something. But it still felt good each time that hard work was acknowledged. "Skeleton crew for a dead night. I'll drink to that. Give me a bit of that Turkey." He pointed to a bottle of whiskey on the shelf. It was middle-shelf. Not great, but just a bit below what he could afford.

"So, why that long face, anyway? Boy troubles? Girl troubles?" a wry smirk played on his lips. "Little bit of both?"

"I won't pry. Unless you want me to." She listened to people's troubles from time to time, maybe she even enjoyed to listen and give advice, but she never actually prodded people about it. It wasn't her style and a lot of people didn't enjoy having someone hounding them with questions about their lives. She knew she didn't enjoy when people did it to her, her burdens were to her person alone.

David seemed to be pleased with her talk. Good for her, even if he was already a regular there she could make him a regular client of her over the other bartenders. Greedy for sure, but she needed tips to pay off the bills and maybe even buy a new game for her old and falling apart retro console.

"She should be back soon. I don't know where the rest of staff went to though." The dark haired bartender shrugged before turning around. Her lean arms reached for the bottle on the shelf with little struggle, then came the glass with the ice cubes. Finally the liquid poured down into the recipient. She'd quietly pour down the liquid, but still keeping the smile.


Blake was ready to start a conversation, but it was David who initiated a new subject before she had the chance. Usually she'd not answer such questions but it the answer wasn't so personal, and he seemed nice enough.


In her head it was way more romantic, though it was just a  fantasy and she could separate that from reality. Still fun times could be had there and day dreaming never killed anyone.

"My story isn't anything you can't see on the evening news. Nothing special." He chuckled, watching her lithe form reach up to snag the bottle, and pour him his glass. She seemed to have a good knack for the art, which was a credit considering some bartenders were selected based purely on their looks. He watched with a bemused smile.

He took the drink as it was offered, sipping lightly. He couldn't say he much worried about the owner or staff getting back anytime soon, this was fine. Just a good drink and a nice chat. It was the simple things...like the beach apparently. Not a girl or a guy, which was just as well. He hadn't expected her to give that kind of info to him anyway. But he could follow this topic a bit farther. Knocking the ash off his cigarette into an ashtray on the bar, he gazed at the woman quizically. "The beach, eh? I've never been the beach myself. Always lived in these part. Never had much reason to hit the coast. Where're you from before you landed in Endy, Ms. Blake?" He asked with an easy smile.

"How mysterious." She chuckled, not at him of course. Just keeping the mood laid back. Though Blake couldn't help but wonder if he was trying to charm her with the mysterious and cool act. He was handsome, she'd give him that so it was a maybe for now. She'd light a cigarette for herself, she avoided smoking at work but with how few people were in there and the one in front of her smoking as well she decided why the hell not.

"Just a girl from somewhere place with beautiful beaches and forests." She replied, trying to keep up the mystery. Two could play that game. "Beaches are fun. Not a tropical paradise, but fun if you know what you are doing. Endymion is fine i suppose, but it feels claustrophobic at times."

Davie felt like he could see a part of her soul as she lit up her cigarette. Something she likely wasn't supposed to do when she was on the clock, but was doing anyway, because right now it was slow and she could do as she pleased. He always liked the look a woman got when they lit a cigarette. He wasn't sure what it was, but he liked it. Maybe it was strength, or mystery or something. He wasn't a poet or a romantic. At least not unless there was money to be made.

She went on to answer his question, and he absently nudged the ashtray he was using so that it was resting easily between them, out of habit more than anything. The atmosphere between them was smokey in the best way, in the way that caught the different colors of the lights from outside in the smoke that hung around them. The smoke hung between them like a veil of mystery, and Davie loved a little mystery. "Beaches and trees, well...that narrows it down to about twenty five out of fifty states. Give or take. Lets see..." He took another drink of his whiskey and tapped a finger of the hand that wasn't holding his cigarette on the hard wood of the table. "What kind of trees were your favorite? Lets see if I can guess." He offered her a playful, crooked grin. It seemed to mean well enough, that smile. At the very least it wasn't a fake one. He was just having a good time, after all.

"I'm no botanic to know tree names from the top of my head, David." Blake gave him a half smile, there was a time where she wanted to be a biologist, a marine biologist. But then the divide happened, and now she is a lonely bartender. At least Boss is cool, she likes the bar and some clients like David are fun to talk to. "...Don't you think palm trees are pretty, though?" She added, her arms folded with her cigarette hanging from between her fingers. It wouldn't help his guess game, but it was the true response.

"...Don't you think palm trees are pretty, though?"

Question time. What it the kind of night for cheesy one-liners or wasn't it? She seemed like the type who'd heard it all before. In fact, she might even be setting him up for one. But it was as easy sort of night, and Davie McAlister was inclined to indulge a little fun on easy nights.

He rose an eyebrow meaningfully. "Is this the part where I say 'not as pretty as your eyes?'" He joked, taking another sip of his whiskey before looking back at the girl with an easy smile. "I bet you get that all time, though. In your profession. Personally, I've never seen a Palm tree in person. But I remember thinking they were pretty magical in movies growing up. Only a few hundred miles away, but they were so different it was like you were getting a glimpse of another world entirely." He offered, taking another drag off of his cigarette. His eyes had glazed over for a minute, looking lost in some dusty memory, before he snapped back and regarded her with that same smile. "So...California? Florida?"

"I heard that one before, Its so played out. I also hear a lot about my legs." She took a drag from her cigarette before shrugging. He was self aware enough to know she gets that often, she often just ignores or gives a nod to the person. If they get too touchy then that's when Mio steps in and presents them to the door, Mio is awesome and cute. "I used to not think a lot about them but now... Its nostalgic i suppose. Funny how stuff like that works."

He finally made his guess, she only gave him a blank expression before her mouth opened to reply him. "Yeap, Cali all right. What about you, Mr. Jazz musician?" She'd rest her head on her free hand.

Now, was Blake the sort of girl who said that because she wanted you to look at her legs? or was she just being conversational? Some girls could sound like they were flirting just to lure you into a trap and smack you. Davie didn't mind those kinds of girls, but he wasn't looking for a slap present. But he couldn't help but continue the joke, if for no other reason than to keep the conversation light. "See, now only a true gentleman compliments the legs first." He joked with a short, rueful laugh before taking another swig of his drink. Years of training kept him from stealing a glance at her legs after making that comment. Seriously, it must be hard to be a woman and have to beat men off of you like flies.

"Me? I'm not a traveler. I was born in the Domiona area, and I haven't gotten much further than this. No real reason to, especially after the divide. Not sure where I'd go if I went, and I certainly don't want to tangle with whatever lives out there." It was true. No part of Davie wanted to brave whatever disgusting horrors destroyed the world, or what might be left over. He liked his head where it was - attached smartly above his broad shoulders. He looked at her with a winsome smile. "Besides, there's plenty of sights to see right here if you know where to look."

Alright, damn it, now he was flirting.

She would quietly listen to him, taking drags of her own cigarette every now and then. Chuckling at his jokes, though to her perception someone who has been bound to the same area for so long is a bit sad when the world is so big and beautiful. But its reality of many humans, some don't even leave the town they lived in. He eventually made a comment that made her stare at him with her mouth slightly open in surprise. So that damn casanova was looking at her legs.

"Oh? What's your favorite sight, David? Maybe you could show me around." Her head tilted slightly to the left. She had the policy of ignoring, leaving it ambiguous or gently deflecting flirty clients. Unless they were cute and pleasant.

Davie choked on his whiskey. That was not the reaction he'd been expecting, and it was rare that someone surprised him. The sudden look of surprise on his face was quickly replaced with a charming smile. "Would you believe me if I said it was the view from my apartment?" He chuckled. That no doubt sounded like the most typical and basest responses to that question, and would likely win him little favor until he explained. "Sounds like a line, I'm sure, but it's the reason I got the apartment where I did. When a man lives alone he's gotta have something pretty to look at. That's what dad told me when I moved out. My place is just off of 18th and Vine, and high enough you can see the lights of the square bouncing off the buildings and all the people down below, scurrying like ants..."

He chuckled and shook his head. "Probably sounds like a bore, but I'm a sucker for a good cityscape."

Now he was being too forward, a guy invites a girl to his apartment. Pshhyeah, still he knew how to say some stuff she could agree with even when he had said the wrong thing(It wasn't that egregious but still). With her head tilted, she put up a thoughtful expression.

"No, i agree. There's just something that's so pretty about the cityscape at night. I find the night pretty in general, as much as a sunny day. Though i have become a night owl with this job." She couldn't have a sunny day at the beach but she could stare into the urban landscape with all its vibrant lights and concrete towers, most people don't seem to like it but there was some pleasing aesthetic. "I suppose if i am to be stuck in one single city for the rest of my life, this isn't so bad."