2019-07-17 - Give Me A Triple Shot Of That Stuff

It's not quite ten and the bar isn't very busy. Three regulars are around, and two who aren't. It's mostly wine and beer being served, so Declan has taken the opportunity to clean up before his shift ends. His hair is more or less perfect. He's checked it three times since his shift. Long sleeves are rolled back across his muscled arms, the sleeves positioned perfectly and with intent. He's done this awhile, he knows what looks best and what people seem to notice. Most of him is a well choreographed act: glasses are held a certain way, he positions himself at certain angles to customers. He makes it look natural, even though it isn't. A few people could see through it in a heartbeat. Glancing at his phone, Declan breathes a small sigh. Almost time.

And in the quiet and calm, there is seemingly suddenly a disturbance. The muffled sound of a rather loud "FUCK YOU TOO!" is heard just before the door to the Pourhouse is opened. A flustered looking Dahlia stormed in, took pause as she shoved her phone into her back pocket, and then looked around a moment. A few shallow breaths to collect herself and ignoring the few looks the other patrons gave her. Clearly her night has not been the best, and she is trying very hard to bottle up all that anger as she walks up to the bar. Sliding into an empty seat she offers Declan an easy smile, though her ivory skin is still tinged with pink. "Get I get a whiskey on the rocks please?" She was trying to make a habit of not going into work when she wasn't working, and wouldn't it be good to see how other bartenders did things anyway? Unlike Declan, Dahlia doesn't seem to be trying to impress anyone tonight. Her hair is left down, a light curl to it and she's in a pair of black jeans with a matching tank top. There's also a jagged sort of scar on her left shoulder that looks reminiscent of human teeth marks.

Declan glances up at the door after the shouting. It's not that uncommon, so he doesn't even reach for his phone. When Dahlia moves up to the bar, he moves over, expecting, and says, "Sure can," as easily as rain falls from the sky. Turning, he walks to the shelf and pulls free Wild Turkey. It's taken to the bar. A bourbon glass is flipped upright, followed by one, two, three cubes that drop into the glass. "Single? Double?" he asks. The bottle is tilted and begins to pour, swirling round and round, amber liquid dripping down the ice and filling the bottom of the glass. "Triple?" The ice cubes make little crackling noises.

"Triple." Dahlia barely misses a beat. It was that kind of night. She watches carefully as he pours the bourbon out. Studying his technique and making a few mental notes as she starts to calm down. When the liquor is finally poured, Dahlia pulled the glass closer. Those bright green eyes taking a few extra beats to study Declan a little closer too. Maybe trying to figure out if she knew him, of him, maybe she'd seen him bartending here before. Then she speaks, "You've got a good technique." Taking a healthy sip. It was more surprising that she didn't just down it all in one shot probably. "What's your name?"

Genevieve drove here, so she's probably not here to get drunk, but she looks as if she's had one hell of a night or two. She's wearing a sleeveless white lace and linen tunic over a pair of dark denim capri pants, a pair of sandals strapped to her feet. Her hair is loose, and because of the wind outside it takes a moment for her to run her fingers through it. She pauses at the door, glances around the bar, and spots Declan with Dahlia. Nice. She steps in their direction, rifling through her purse for her card and her phone. "Hey you two, how are you doing?" She slips onto a barstool next to Dahlia, crosses her legs and sets down her card. "Good I hope?"

"Sure." Declan fills the glass up, going just slightly over four and a half ounces. The last trips trail out before it's set to the side. Declan's been around. He's worked in restaurants across the town, bars, and clubs(s). He definitely hasn't worked every place in town, but he's seen his fair share. Since turning twenty-one, it's mostly been at the bar. But he's has his fair share of waiter jobs, too. "I'd better," he says with a bit of a laugh. "Been doing this long enough. But thanks." He gestures to her glass. "Want to know a secret? It's on the house." After her question, he says, "Declan." He turns to Eve. "I'm good. What can I get you, Eve?" He continues to lean on the bar.

Dahlia chuckled despite herself. "I can tell. Maybe I'll be that good one of these days." An idle musing and her brow quirked briefly when he said it was on the house. But he was rewarded with another smile. "And you know how to keep them coming back. Thank you, Declan." That smile was turned towards Eve when she arrived. "Hey hun." A shrug at the question of how she was doing, taking another sip of her drink. "Aside my oldest brother being a major asshole? I'm just peachy." Another beat and then, "How about you? Looks like you've been through the ringer some yourself Genevieve."

"I'll take my new favorite drink." Genevieve glances at her phone as it buzzes and then shifts that blue eyed gaze to Dahlia, eyebrows raised. "Don't let him get you down, love. From what I'm to understand, elder siblings love to push the younger ones around and attempt to always be right." She chuckles softly and pushes her credit card forward. "I'm glad I'm an only child." She sighs and jerks her shoulder up in a shrug. "I've been better, but I'll be okay. Hopefully the next couple of days will be better, you know?" She finally picks up her phone, frowns at the text and shoots one back with quick thumb movements. "What're you drinking tonight Dahlia?"

"Wouldn't shock me if you were," Declan answers Dahlia. He gives her a wink before turning to the tablet and figuring Dahlia's drink. He pays for it before grabbing Genevieve's card. "Yep. Give me five minutes, and it's all yours," he replies. He works the machine, quiet, and eventually slides her card back. Walking to the fridge, he pulls out strawberries, champagne, and cuts the fruit up quickly. He's a little more efficient than he was the night previous. The berries are crushed, strong arms flexing but eye contact is limited while he focuses. Neither woman is interrupted. Berries go in the flute glass, followed by that splash of top shelf gin... and then the bubbly. Once slice of strawberry is used for garnish, and it's slid to Eve. It really does take about five minutes. Despite the efficiency, it tastes the same as it did the night before. He turns to Dahlia. "Need another round?"

"What's your new favorite drink?" A curiosity edging her tone. Dahlia doesn't comment on the sibling stuff. Not wanting to get worked up again. Instead, she watches Declan working again out of the corner of her eye as she focuses on Eve. "You know I'm around if you wanna talk it out at all. Talking is good and all that." Dahlia mused, knocking back the rest of her drink. "Whiskey. There's some kind of charity dinner in a few days to help with down town? Justin's going and I get to be the plus one. Figure I should get my hard liquor in before that." She laughs. It's only a partial joke though. Well, at least she isn't in her perma-high phase anymore. "That looks pretty." Of the drink that gets slid towards Eve before nodding to Declan and sliding the empty glass towards him. "Pretty please."

"A.. Rossini?" Genevieve glances at Declan to make sure she's saying it right. She turns and a small smile appears on her face as she eyes Dahlia. "Same goes, Dahlia. Maybe I'll text you after I go home to Eli. I kept him busy all morning so he's working. Wouldn't come out with me." She giggles softly and picks up her drink, taking a sip. She takes the garnish from the edge of the glass and tosses it into her mouth. "Want to try mine? It's so yummy." She gingerly slides her glass toward Dahlia, there is playful reluctance there, but she looks willing to give Dahlia a sip. "Declan was over at the apartment the other day, Dahlia. I was telling him we should all get together for dinner. He's a peach, this one."

Declan grabs Dahlia's glass and dumps the ice. Three more cubes go in. This time, he pours her a single, bottle still swirling round and round, but it's pulled away slowly just as before. He pushes it back with another wink and sets the bottle aside. "You can start a tab or pay upfront," he reminds her casually, as casually as he can at any rate. He turns to Eve. "Yeah, Rossini. Usually champagne and strawberries, crushed. I threw a dash of gin in there for an extra dash. I used to make them for a lady one summer. That was years ago." He blushes a little when Genevieve mentions dinner. "Yeah that'd be..." he turns to Dahlia, "great. Really great." His lips curl into a gentle smile.

"Rossini." Dahlia repeated the word, trying out how it sounded. "Hm, I'll have to practice that one." Nodding a bit as Eve said she might text her later. "Tell him I said hi. I'll have to come by the shop soon to restock. I've been good, taking a break and trying to keep a clear head." She smiles a bit more as the glass is offered. "Just a sip." She assures Genevieve and takes one. Savoring the flavor as the glass is slid back to the French woman. "Mm! That is pretty good. " Then her own glass is returned and Dahlia pulls out a few twenties - laying them on the counter. "We'll see how much of this we can use up." Her head tilted a touch, catching the faint blush on Declan's cheek and then another look towards Genevieve. Shifting in her seat so she can keep the both of them in her field of view. "Dinner would be lovely some time. I'm sorry I've been so hard to catch. But, I'm...coping with everything and it would be good to spend time with you and Eli. And make some new friends." A casual wink is given to Declan along with that smile. "Lord knows I could use some around here."

"Yes, please do. I'm supposed to be cutting down, but.." Genevieve eyes the glass with a smirk, drawing it back toward her. She picks it up, takes a drink, and sets it back down. "I'll tell Eli you said hi, and we'll figure out dinner sometime soon. You've got a lot going on hon, we're there, you only need to text or call." She sees Declan blush, and she covers up her grin with another sip of her drink. "I made brownies when Declan came over, I wouldn't be surprised if he never comes to dinner again after that." She reaches out, rubbing her hand gingerly up Dahlia's arm briefly. "If you need any help, don't hesitate to reach out."

Declan smiles a little when Dahlia compliments the drink, but he soon goes back to doing... things. The twenties are gathered and added to a tab, record counted. He'll supply change later, if necessary, of course. "Same," he tells Dahlia, looking down at his work. "I'll look forward to it." It's said as casually as he can manage while busying himself. "Your brownies were amazing. If Eli wasn't in the way, I'd drop down on my knee right now. Just for those brownies," he teases. Declan glances up at Eve and smiles briefly before returning back to work.

"But all of it's so, so good." Dahlia finished for Genevieve and giggled. "I started with the...trailer. A little. I had Ruiz help me since I knew he'd make sure I did at least something." She sighed, but pulled a smile again. "But maybe I'll bring you along for the next. I've got a bunch of clothes to bring to the Goodwill and just...have to figure out what to do with the rest." Sipping her drink. She wasn't trying to get wasted tonight, though the possibility was very tempting. A grin was tossed Declan's way at the mention of the brownies and dinner. "Right? Hell, I'd drop on one knee myself if it meant unlimited access to all those baked goods and bath bombs." Giving Eve a playful nudge. "It'll be a fun time." Relaxing against the bar.

Genevieve grins over at Dahlia, nodding as she mentions the trailer and things going on. "I have a jeep and I'm happy to clean and the like. Hey.." She glances at Declan before she looks back at Dahlia. "Got anything that needs fixed? Are you going to sell the trailer?" She picks up her glass and takes a sip. "I know a handyman." She taps her drink with her fingertip, chuckling softly. "This is my one and only, I drove here and last night was.." She winces and shakes her head. "It was a little insane." She blushes as people offer to marry her for pot. "I guess I'm making brownies for the next cook out."

"Yeah. I wouldn't say it's the best brownie I've ever had, a bit bitter, but damn. Definitely still the best." Declan grins and looks between the women women while they talk. "Last night was?" he asks Eve. "Everything okay?" Seeing Eve finally blush, he smiles brightly. It's a handsome smile, genuine and sudden. "You should. That is, if you have the time and inclination. Only do what you want. No pressure." But damn. They were good.

Dahlia finished off her drink, eyeing it hard like she was debating a refill and then sighing. "Can you just get me whatever's on tap? I'm not picky - surprise me." Switching to beer was probably better. "Harlan's pretty good about taking care of things. He's a good property manager. I don't think there's anything right now." Dahlia pushed a hand through her hair, thinking it over. "Trailer's not mine to sell so, I can't. Dunno if I wanna hang on to it or just let Harlan rent it out to someone who will actually live there." Because Dahlia be damned if she was going to move back into that place." A pause, "But who's the handyman? Always good to have one on speed dial." Studying Genevieve a little closer. Nodding along with Declan's question of if everything was okay again. "Oh yeah, only if you want to. Though I am not above bribery either..." A littel tease.

"Everything is fine, or as fine as it can be. Just a little twitchy the last few days." Genevieve holds up her hands, making an attempt at looking as okay as she says she is. "Declan here.. actually." She gestures in his direction, trying to look innocent. "Oh it's no problem to make the brownies, maybe a little more dark chocolate to mask the bitterness, I'm always up for experimentation." She leans against the bar, picking up her glass to drink from it. "Mmm, I met someone who needs a place, maybe I should tell him to head over there."

"Yep," Declan answers easily. He moves to the freezer, grabs a chilled glass, returns, and pours Dahlia a local lager. The beer runs down the inside of the glass, and he tilts it at just the right time so that the foam appears on the head. One little trail of it pours down the side before he sets it on a paper coaster and puts it in front of her. Her bourbon glass is dumped, cleaned, and returned to its place in line while they talk. "If you need someone to fix up the trailer, I can give you a quote. That's my day job," he says while cleaning. "I'll match prices, though, work with you to make sure it's what you need." He leans back against the bar and focuses on Dahlia. "Here," he pulls out his card and slides it over. It's for a handyman service.

"If you're sure." To Eve being fine. Dahlia eyed the woman for a long moment when she said that Declan was the handyman. Maybe a little suspicious. But then it was gone. "Oh really?" Looking over towards Declan. "A jack of all trades then?" Accepting the beer and the business card. "Thanks. Well, like I said, Harlan's the one that owns it - technically. But I don't think he'd mind me having someone out to at least take a look. And hey, maybe he could use an extra person on call to help out with stuff." Examining the card and then sliding it into her pocket. "Oh yeah, there's a few spots open even if I decide to keep the trailer." is offered to Eve. "And it's not too terribly expensive." A little shrug of her shoulders and a deep pull from the mug.

"For the most part." Genevieve gets a sly look on her face as she finishes her drink. "No squirrels." She glances between the pair, laughing suddenly. "Listen, I told Declan that I wasn't into setting up my friends, and I'm not, but it's always good to know a handyman." She holds up both hands, and if she had a white flag, she'd be waving it. "Do you think Justin will still be able to come by for dinner too? I am still attempting to get Eli to be more sociable. Just like he's trying to get me to drink less." She puts on a bright smile, gesturing to her almost empty drink like she's on the Price is Right. "One of us will triumph, and I'm pretty sure it'll be me."

"Quotes are free. So no, it won't hurt." Declan thinks about her question, eyes narrowing for a moment. "A little bit, sure. I started in the restaurant business first. I think there's only a few jobs I haven't done there. General manager, head chef... actually, that might be it. Oh, executive chef. I don't work in kitchens much. Anyway, when I was a kid a contractor took me on. That became my day job. Eventually branched out on my own. If it looks like you need specialized work, I'll let you know no additional charge." He points to Eve. "She right. Never a bad idea to know a guy to call. Saves you money, and often times faster." He stands up straight. "I know you said one, Eve, but if you want something light I'll surprise you. Just let me know."

Dahlia winced a bit at the mention of squirrels. "It is always good to know a handyman." She agreed with a chuckle, listening to Declan list off his resume. "Pretty neat. I waitressed most of my time in LA. A few acting gigs, and now I'm bartending at Firefly." Pulling out her phone to tap a few buttons, summoning an Uber. Then she set her phone down on the bar. "And mom always said never say no to Free." There's an odd little look that passed over her features, maybe something akin to sadness but she shook it off. "Anyhow, I'm sure I can pull Justin away from his computers long enough for dinner. You let me know when you want to do it and I'll make it work for the both of us. "

"I'll send all of you a text when we have some free time. I should get going though, I've got to fill out a mail order and get some stuff ready for tomorrow." Genevieve gets up off her stool, collecting her card. "Give me a slippy thing to sign, I'll give you a tip and then I'm gonna drive home and ..ugh, work." She shoulders her purse and leans against the bar. "Oh, and think about what you want us to bbq, or else we'll just end up making steak again."

Declan slides Eve a tablet and opens up her tab. He looks away politely as she works the screen. "You were in LA? cool." Decla n smiles a little. "Same. Just text me, Eve. I'll be around." Pausing for a moment, he thinks over Genevieve's question about BBQ. "I could really do anything. If I had a choice, it'd be pork chops or brats. But I can bring those. They're expensive." He turns to Dahlia and tilts his head. "How long were you out west?"

"Sounds like a plan. Get home safe, text me to let me know you did." Dahlia nodded to Eve. "I'm not picky, and Justin isn't too picky either? At least, I don't think so. So whatever is fine." She looked to Declan again and nodded. "Yeah. For...almost 7 years? I left as soon as I graduated. It was...an interesting time? I miss it a little. Only came back because of mom but, I think I'm gonna stick around for a while longer. You ever been out that way?"

Genevieve turns to blow the pair a kiss as she makes her way to the door, she slips outside, and can be heard as she walks to her jeep. "FINALLY, no rain!"

Declan turns and winks at Eve, smiling a little. He waits until she's out of earshot, then turns back to Dahlia. "Never. I've been out here my whole life. Never really left." He breathes a sigh. "Wish I could. Anyway. Genevieve's a trip." He leans back against the bar. "How'd you two meet?"

"You should go some time if you get the chance. There's a lot to see and do. It's a whole other world compared to this place." Dahlia chuckling taking a drink from her mug and looked over her shoulder. "Right here actually." She looked back to Declan. "It was raining. I'd just come from a meeting and she was already here. I adore her. I think she's the only real female friend I've had in forever." Thinking on that for a moment. "Her shop is just icing on the cake. Eli is great too. I knew him a little growing up, but I'm glad I'm getting to know him better. How about you? How'd you meet them?"

"If I get the chance, I will," Declan replies. "I hear it's awesome. Just..." This town. Memories. Pains. His expression shifts a bit, reflecting darker thoughts. He clears his throat. "Well of course I knew Eli growing up. I met them over at the waffle place. But really, I got to know them here, too." One arm tenses. "I hit on them. They said no. We went back to their place and they made me dinner. Best night I've had in a long, long time."

Dahlia studied him a beat, recognizing that look. She's seen it herself, on her own face lately. She sympathizes, but not vocally. A little grin, "Can't blame you for that. They're a hot couple. You're pretty good looking yourself. Had to at least try right? They really are some of the best people I know. I don't know anyone else who would do something like that." She finished off her beer, sliding the glass over to him. "Go ahead and close me out. Or else Justin's gonna have to drag my ass to bed when I get back to his place." She mused. "I think you'll like Justin too if he gets to have dinner with us. He's been my best friend for forever, just recently made a permanent move up. You might even remember him if you meet him. He would come up in the summer time when we were younger."

"I did, yeah." Declan blushes again, but doesn't seem especially ashamed. He just shrugs and says, "Being around them is really cool," and leaves it at that. He takes her glass and pushes it to the sink. It slides right over... and stops where it's supposed to. Nifty. "I will." He chin tilts towards her. "I think I remember him, yeah. But hey." Declan swallows. "Is it too forward to ask and see you before then? No strings. A dance, a drink. A walk. Whatever. Something casual," his shoulders tense a little, and a small smile creeps across his lips.

Dahlia watches the cup slide over to the sink and laughed. "You'll have to teach me that one." Then her gaze slides back over to him at the question of seeing her sooner. Dahlia offers a touch of a smile, thinking over the offer. "I think I'd like that. Though, fair warning, I've been told I can be trouble." There's a tease in her tone but also a little truth to it. If he knew her brothers at all - because at least two of them were around his age - he might remember them having a reputation of being troublemakers. Her phone dings, signaling her ride is here. She pulls his business card back out, taps his number into her phone and then steals one of his pens that may be in arms reach, scrawling her number on the blank side of his business card and handing it back to him. "Call me or text me. We'll see what we wanna do." Getting to her feet and pocketing her phone - and the pen. A pause to steady herself, but then she was fine. "It was nice to meet you Declan. You have a good night." Giving him a little wave before heading out towards the waiting car.

"I love trouble," Declan promises. He makes no mention of brothers, but he watches her record the number on his business card. He takes it back and pockets it. "I'll give you a text. And yeah, it was Dahlia. Be good to yourself." With a final practiced smile, something he's honed over the years, he watches her go. Once she has, he returns to other customers. Wine is poured. Glasses are refilled. Drinks get mixed. About twenty minute later he pulls the card back out and looks it over. He smiles a little to himself before putting her number into his phone. There aren't any other Dahlia's. 'Hey,' is what he types in, but he doesn't send it. Not yet, at any rate. He goes back to work, silent and somewhat detached, smiling where he needs to. Quiet where necessary. Until his shift is done - then he heads home and goes to bed. That text gets sent the following morning.