Feb 24 13:59:42 106 PA
From Chronicles
The current game time is: Wed Feb 24 13:59:42 106 PA.
The front doors are now closed to custom, and The Alibi is coming into being gradually, though the bar is not yet stocked and there is still a sense of disorder about the decor as all is put into readiness for the grand opening.
The club is a liberal mix of modern and classic styles with a dark, warm lean to the hardwood and metal decor, dressed up with velvet and leather. Set up about the stage with attached DJ station and dance floor at the center, the entrance is set to one end of this, the bar to the other. The entrance itself is tightly controlled. There are always two well dressed people at the front, a bouncer to check each person coming in and another watching the drum and closet lockers that hold all patron weapons.
A broad , semi circular stage extends from the center of the widest wall, rising two feet, with lights rimming the edge and hidden in scaffolds high above. A rich red velvet curtain lies ready to sweep about and veil the stage itself from view. The DJ booth is set up right next to the stage, set into the same wall. With a thick window and biometric locks on the two side doors, one to the stage and the other to a set of stairs down, the equipment within is secure. Within a C shaped desk and racks hold the sound equipment, all linked into a central computer. All done up in sleek, dark cases, mixing well with the warm, wood paneling of the booth's exterior.
A dance floor is central to the club, laid out in a broad circle before the stage. Laid out in a semi circle opposite the stage side of the dance floor are a series of round tables, with smaller two person sized ones at the edge, with larger four person tables in the next row and a few grand six to eight person tables on the outer edge. All staggered to make for the best view for all to the dance floor and stage. To one side of this central focus is the bar, a broad affair taking up much of the shorter wall in width. The bar itself is a mix of modern and classic, with the simple, elegant hardwood design of the bar itself mixing with the display of alcohol behind it, opaque plastic shelves lit from within to highlight the wide selection of common and uncommon liquors for sale. The barstools themselves, lined up in a neat row, mix dark metallic stems with comfy red leather seats.
The Joy has been transformed, though it is still going through the final refinements. Some of the more common booze is behind the bar. The workers are fewer and down to doing detail tasks. Cleaning up the mess from the reconstruction, checking the set up of the sound gear. Finalizing the lighting and so forth. Desmond is standing near to the front of the place, being shown the circular locker and how it works by the installer. He's armor clad as ever, without his helmet on. With one last shared word, the installer departs the club, leaving Desmond to continue toying with the device. Which, for now, consists of him inserting the key to open up the spot where is pulse pistol was inserted as a demonstration. The small compartment pops open and he emits a contented grunt, drawing out the pistol again.
It's the middle of the morning, the rush to work still tapering off for most.
Aimee is wandering the room, a sheaf of papers in her hand, double checking tiny details with glasses, drinks, and other equipment. In a pair of black jeans that hug her hips and a mock corset top, made from red velvet, her hair lifted into a pile of curls on her head, she is serious faced for once. A word to a woman beside her, and she heads forward to find Desmond, a quick smile coming to her lips. "Mon chat, we are expecting that director, from the hospital..." She reminds him, softly, glancing at the device questioningly.
With the bulge of Bandito body armour underneath an otherwise professional looking black collared shirt and khaki pants, Joachim looks professional and clean-cut. Blast hammer swinging at his side, he opens the door after only a moment's hesitation, with a tired-but-expectant look on his face. Looking around the refurbished bar (though he'd never seen the one prior), he will, essentially, wait until approached, a ready smile on his face.
Desmond slips the pistol into his holster idly as he watches the little opening close up again, the key sealed in until the next small weapon is placed inside. Contented with the self serve locker, he turns without hesitation when Aimee speaks behind him, a thumb hooked into his belt. "I remember," he responds to her, his eyes lingering. They like to linger, though that doesn't stop him continuing on with serious business. "It should be soon.." Being close to the front, Joachim's entrance is noted then, Desmond's words stayed as he looks towards the man. "Proper timing," he rumbles in a more casual tone to Aimee before his deep voice lifts and he motions for Joachim to approach. "You arrive at a good time," he states.
Aimee's smile immediately ignites, giving the man a warm look as she steps forward to offer him a hand to shake. "Thanks for coming." She greets him, glancing over her shoulder at Desmond, "Care for a drink? We have pretty much everything, honey. Coffee? Whiskey?" She glances over towards the bar, catching the eye of a minion there who begins to head their way. She gestures towards one of the tables where her papers are spread out. "Come and take a seat. I don't recall if we said why we invited you?"
"Well, I'd hope so! I tried to get here around the time it suggested," Joachim says grinning. "I'm pretty proud'a myself for bein' on time, pers'nally," his smirk looking decidedly smug as he rocks back on his heels. With a smile and a gracious shake of the head, he responds, "No, no, I'm quite alright," as he moves toward the offered seat. "And no, I'm as of yet completely in the dark, I'm afraid!"
Desmond will follow along behind Aimee, a casual deferment of this matter to her. Though he remains observant, ears flicked forward. But he does chime in as they move towards the indicated table. "It is on the matter of our opening and an event that could benefit us and the hospital that you run to the south," he rumbles deeply. "An auction, of sorts, with the profits from it offered up for your cause." He will move around to the far side of the table, initially remaining on his feet.
The minion brings a pot of coffee for three anyhow, setting it on the table before vanishing. Aimee settles in a seat, crossing her legs, dangling her shoe from her toes as Desmond explains the offer on the table. "The only benefit for us is the publicity and the reputation." She explains quickly, "We were thinking of having an evening opening, ticket only, with music and food, and a charity date auction with the proceeds to your hospital." She watches Joachim's reaction thoughtfully, her lips curved into a smile.
Joachim nods at the brief summation, smile deepening for a moment, "Well, there is always need of money," he says rather lightheartedly. "We go through a rather shocking amount of gauze." Head tilting for a moment considering, he asks, "What's the setup overall look like? You said a charity auction..?"
"Yes," Desmond confirms. "It is.." He pauses, looking toward Aimee, as if to gain some insight from her in remembering the precise nature of it. "..an auction of dates. We will soon make public word of it and seek volunteers. All is nearing completion here.. another week or two, perhaps, and we shall be ready to open. We did desire your word on this, however, before we advertise."
"And then, on the night, we auction their date off to the highest bidder, they go on the date, and your hospital gets the money." She pours coffee for herself, glancing at the two men questioningly. "And profits from the bar of course." She adds cream to her coffee, taking a sip, watching Joachim over its rim. "We're a bar in the Dregs, honey, linking up with a good charity is a good idea."!
With a chuckle, Joachim nods at it all, "Sounds... interestin', to say the least. I'm not callin' your motives into question, an' honestly I don't see anythin' wrong with it." Shaking his head at the coffee, he continues, "I mean, so long's it's all kept on th' up and up, I don't see any problems with it, from my end, really." With a pleasant smile, he looks the two over briefly, appraisingly
Desmond reaches out to help himself to the coffee, though he only pours a slight amount. Half a cup, which he lifts, straightening again. "For our part, it will be as explained. Those who wish to take part will present themselves on their respective night and bids will be taken. What goes on after a winner is chosen is not under our control. It will be theirs to decide the nature of the date." He seems simply earnest on the topic.
The appraising look is returned by Aimee and she nods finally, as if he passed some test or other. "Well good. Then perhaps it could be a regular thing. Annual do, perhaps?" She sips her coffee, holding it between both hands, watching Joachim thoughtfully. "Make it formal, make it exclusive, and make some money, honey." She smiles them, green eyes dancing with amusement. "Well, a pleasure doing business with you, and we'll let you know the date, send over tickets for some of your staff." She puts her cup down, rising to offer a hand to finalise and close the deal.
With a moment's hesitation, Joachim's eyes rest on Desmond before he takes the hand. "Alright. Sounds good. If there's anythin' you need from us, feel free to toss a message myw ay. I'm excited about it, an' rather hope we'll be able to set somethin' like this up in the future, too." With a slight head-bob, he stands. "Sorry to be in an' out so quick, but if you need me, well, I'll be around." He stands for several moments for the exchange of final pleasantries and the like.
Desmond remains standing beside the table, lightly sampling the coffee. More for the taste of it than anything more. He seems content to let Aimee seal the deal. "We shall keep you apprised. Feel free to send one of your own to observe, if you wish to see that the deal is fairly done, though you do have our word on this," he rumbles. "Farewell."
Aimee rises, giving the man a smile and a nod, "We'll send you tickets. How many? Four?" She asks quickly, before giving a minion a glance to show him out, and turning back to the table, her businesslike manner unusual for the woman. "Now, we need to plan, mon chat..." She murmurs.
"That should be enough for the moment," Joachim says, pleasantly. "I look forward to seein' how it all develops. I wish you all luck with getting' it all sorted," before giving a final smile and turning toward the door to take his leave.
Desmond will wait quietly for Aimee to return, contenting himself with his coffee as the last details are gone over. When she does, he bobs his head once to her. "This is true.. though perhaps we cannot do too much before we know how much interest there will be in this. I do not imagine that, to some degree, where we are may work against us. But perhaps not so much as it shall matter."
"Not so much, because the charity is for the Dregs, so I think, me, that people will see it as fun and novel..." Aimee takes up a pen and starts to scribble on a notepad. "First, we need people to auction. So famous ones would perhaps be good." She looks up at Desmond, and grins. "You think, mon chat, that your friends, the heroes would do it?"
Desmond mulls over the question quietly for a few moments. "I am unsure.." He pauses, eyes drifting a bit to the sides to see that the workers are not listening too closely. Even so, he will move to a seat nearer to Aimee, his cup laid down before he too settles. The chairs built strong to accommodate whoever might look to sit. "It could be.. awkward for some. Cali and Atticus.. these two come to mind. I could ask, but they were once together.. recently parted." This rumbled lowly. Personally. "Considering this I am of two minds.. in the one, I would not wish there to be any obstruction placed, should they find their paths coming together once more.. on the other hand, such an event may prompt them to come together once more.. or if it is not to be, further them along their respective paths." He pauses, looking to her thoughtfully.
Aimee drinks her coffee thoughtfully, watching him over the rim. "If they parted, I think that either it would help them move on, or else force them back together." Business like, and serious, she has her working head on. "They can say no, if it is too hard a thing, mon chat. Grown ups, oui?" She is almost laughing at him, one eyebrow arched. "Who else, perhaps?" A smile spreads across her face then and she grins, her eyes dancing. "Oui, I have another to ask. I will meet you back here, mon chat, I think..." She clearly has no intention of telling him who the other is.
Desmond cants his head slightly as he considers her words. "Your words ring true.." He extends a hand, despite still being gauntleted, to lightly stroke along the fringes of her hair. "It was a parting that brought us together as we are now. Better that I let events tell the tale.. I will go seek them now. There is little else for me to do here for now. When I return, I will bring their answers.. and if there are others that come to mind I shall speak to them on this." Tags: aimee, desmond, joachim
