2020-05-02 - Sitka

"I should have known from when we first met that you had a grand vision for this town, Mister Thorne. I never imagined it quite this big-city, I must admit." Dante's wearing one of his favourite oxblood three-piece suits with a spring green pocket square as they tour the nearly-completed restaurant space. "And it seems this town sometimes delivers fate in less terrible packages. It really is pure luck that I heard anything about the other investor backing out." He runs his fingers down the brass fixings of Little Spruce's bar. It's still short a few chairs and tables, the bar hasn't been stocked and some of the other finishing touches are still being made, but it's easy to see what the space will soon be.

Dressed in his usual business attire, a suit in dark grey with a maroon tie, Byron strides alongside the author as they step foot into the elegant restaurant and bar. It was mostly complete, as were many of the other businesses with their remodeling. He's all a-grin on hearing Dante's speak of this grand vision. "As you've mentioned, perhaps it is fate, the reason that my investors and I were even able to acquire this place." He then asks, observing the bar and taking note of the lack of inventory behind it, "Did you arrive by ferry or did you drive the half mile? Either way, it's all rather adventurous, I think. Even the drive is like taking a journey into some elegantly bright wonderland."

There's an amused lift of his brow when he says this. "I'm pleased to know that the scandal surrounding the original owner has not scared you away. A few of the primary investors and business owners pulled out due to one thing or other, but quite a few remained. Probably sensing the potential of this location, just a short drive from Seattle."

"I drove," says Dante as he walks further into the space. He moves towards the grand piano covered in a dropcloth. He's unable to keep the smile from his face as he runs his fingers along the edge. "My own selfishness did much to override any jitters. I've been desperate for a place to have a good cocktail and a fine bite to eat since arriving here. No offense to the local establishments, of course. But a little variety never hurts. And with all the things the people of Gray Harbor go through, they deserve a place to come on special occasions."

He sets a hand in the pocket of his trousers and looks up at the silver Sitka Spruce that dominates both spaces. "I've sourced some local bitters and other interesting ingredients from the region to create a cocktail list with local flavours. Though I'll leave the exact menu to the head bartender in consultation with the chef. I like to think I have good taste, but I'm not a mixologist."

Following suit towards the covered grand piano, Byron also has this urge to touch it as if compelled by the musical instrument. What little he knows of this business contract is that the author would be running the place. Thus, he asks, "Will you be holding auditions of pianists and singers? I know that there's quite a few musicians living in town, as strange as that might seem." He even goes on to say, a wide grin pulling at the corners of his lips, "I've been known to play a song or two, but there's no way that I'm professional enough to tackle a task like this. Not even on my off days."

His own stance leans partially towards something casual, the way that he has both hands tucked away into his pockets now, once the outstretched one retreats from the piano. Giving the elegant space a look over, he states, "There have been people who were wanting a fancy restaurant for a while now. I'm glad that we're able to provide for them in the form of this casino. Otherwise, one of the fanciest restaurants near here is a drive out of town to the Lighthouse, so a place closer to home is something that some of the residence have been looking forward to." Curiously, he asks, turning his dark eyes to the other man, "Have you been advertising for staff yet?"

"Ah, no, not yet," Dante smiles a bit sheepishly. "This is all new to me, and I've rather a long to-do list. The chef was in conversations before the other investor backed out, so I'll stick with her for now. She may not want to stay long-term as she came to town for him. But I've convinced her to complete the launch at least." He looks from the piano up to Byron. "One of my indulgences will be playing occasionally. I played for years, stopped, and have recently gotten back into shape. Nearly ready to be the background music to people drinking at least. But yes, certainly opportunities for more regular professional entertainers. And if you'd like to give the ivories a litttle tickle now and then, I'm sure that could be arranged."

He looks back from the bar side to Sitka proper. "There's a bit of work being done to keep the prices affordable, but still keep the ingredient quality high. A fine line, yes, but as we both know the median income of this town is not particularly high. And if we're to do well, we need the townspeople to visit too - not just visitors from out of town with deep pockets."

"I hope that the chef will be more than willing to stay on board once the place opens. Why, I'm sure that she would think that you would be a delight to work for." Byron says with light amusement now, his eyes on Dante once more in a fleeting glance. "But I'm glad that she's at least willing to help out, especially with the Grand Olympic opening up in the next week or so. From there, she can train someone else to take her place, especially with the current menu that she must have in place by now."

This is followed by some laughter and he shakes his head, "We'll see. I learned to play a bit when I was in L.A. And that carried itself over when I returned home. Now, I just play at home when my passion for it kicks in. That said, I am looking forward to hearing you play. A writer and a pianist. That's a lot of talent there."

He then nods slowly, "Aye. It's really about the experience anyway, right? And..." Looking beyond the restaurant and bar out towards the main walkway, he adds in, "I have a feeling a lot of people might be losing some of their coin on setting foot onto the casino floor. But this whole thing, this place," He returns to Dante once more, gesturing idly around them, "This will be a new experience for them. To have this sort of elegance in our quaint little town."

"Oh, I'm not sure how I'll be to work for, to be honest," says Dante with one of his sharky smiles. "I like to think I'm an even-headed person, but I also know what I like and I've high standards." He looks at his phone, and his lips twitch. "My boyfriend thinks 'Little Spruce' sounds like a daycare and not a piano bar. He might be right."

He looks as Byron gestures. "If there's one thing I've learned in my time in this town, is that distractions and pleasures where you can find them are key. Whether that's dropping a coin in a slot or popping some foie gras in their mouth, it serves a similar purpose. The little pleasures."

Eyeing Dante's suit, Byron nods with slow understanding before he says, eyes sweeping the room again, "I know of another business owner, sharply dressed, who runs his business with an iron fist. So I can believe it. Like I said, we do want to give our guests a wonderful experience and any imperfections in quality or service breaks that immersion." That's when his own gaze lowers to view the other man's phone, the comment bringing out another laugh. "I'm just so glad that it wasn't called that, particularly. Sitka, sounds refined."

Here is when he decides to say, "With how things are in Gray Harbor, I can only imagine the nightmare of keeping away cheaters and people trying to give themselves the upper hand." He then gestures with his chin, to one of the hidden security cameras in the place, "Our security can only do so much. Especially when cameras won't pick up certain actions." Yes, he's talking about Glimmer things now.

"I'd imagine you'd have raised objections when I started making overtures if you were concerned about my taste, Mister Thorne," says Dante with a grin. "But from the moment we've met, I believe we've been on a similar wavelength taste-wise. As evidenced by Bayside and its amenities."

He looks up to the camera, then down to Byron. "Ah, yes. Certainly a challenge. One I'm happy to not have to deal with directly. People might use their skills to pinch drinks or bits of food, or escape the cheque, but a dine and dash is certainly far less damaging than an unearned jackpot."

Byron flashes Dante this cheeky grin, laughter heard in his tone as he shakes his head, "I'm just a small town boy, Mister Taylor." But he will go on to add, "One who had experienced a life that was once far beyond my means. Now here we are today." Though, he does openly wonder, "Speaking of refined tastes, I'm sure you've met Mister Vydal's bakery by now? To be honest, you both stick out like sore thumbs in this blue collar town." He called it a bakery rather than a Pātisserie to reflect his own crude nature.

The seriousness of the need for security has him nodding, his own posture straightening as he considers, "I'll be looking into a security team who shines. They'll at least have a chance of picking out the cheaters by sensing the intensity of their light. Or darkness. Or whatever song plays when they use their powers." He can't help but shake his head, "The way people sense these things vary greatly, sometimes, that it's hard to describe to others."

There's then a subject change, "What do you think of the casino over all? Speaking of sore thumbs. It's this beacon of elegance floating out in the bay."

"Yes, I have," of the proper French 'bakery.' "Though, I've been trying to be more disciplined lately, so have steered away." Dante pats his stomach and straightens his shoulders to adjust the drape of his suit. "I haven't met the man himself, but perhaps he'd be a good person to consult on the dessert menu."

"A wise precaution," he says of security staff who Glimmer. "I think the casino is very ambitious. But fortune favours the bold and all that. And I have hitched my star and a not insignificant amount of money to yours."

Byron looks surprised by this talk of a need to even be disciplined in what one ate. There's a quirk of a brow now, but he will say in agreement, "While I have no doubts that you, Sir, have nothing to worry about when it comes to carb intake, it's always a good move to take in a healthier diet. Don't forget, that cheat days exist." He hurries up with, "It's surprising that you've both yet to meet, but with the various charitable functions and high society events at the Addington House, you're both bound to run into one another."

He then gives the Sitka another overall look, before his gaze settles on the bar, "I wouldn't be surprised if he's a frequent guest of yours here."

Turning to face Dante again, Byron inquires with the other man, "Do you have any questions regarding anything? You already have the information package regarding rules and ammeneties. I will be giving you a map with the various security cameras placed within the restaurant as well as numbers for you to contact in case of emergency."

"I haven't actually partaken in Gray Harbor's high society functions as of yet. It seems a circle for the old blood of the town, which I am certainly not part of. And to be frank, I had rather a lot of it back home and I'd been enjoying less...political interactions." Dante grins at Byron. "But if I'm to win over those old families and have them become patrons, I probably should make overtures."

He looks up at the security cameras again when the other man mentions them. He shakes his hed. "No, it's all quite thorough. I'm sure there will be more issues to work out as we go forward, but I've every confidence things will run smoothly. Ah..." his phone makes a noise. "My apologies, Mister Thorne. I've a meeting back in the kitchen with the chef in a few moments. Thank you for meeting me here. And I look forward to working with you." He offers his hand.

"I wouldn't say that it's all poli--" Byron starts to say, before he will admit, "Some of it is, yes. And the Addingtons have the power to drive anyone out of town, so I try to stay on their good sides. At least the Matriarch, as difficult as that can be." The Author's probably never met with Margaret Addington, but she's a known figure around town. "I understand though. The town's politics is not for everyone, but I hope that at some point, you stop feeling like an outsider. Even with your accent and demeanor."

Thorne seems satisfied by what Dante says regarding questions and the like. Hearing the man's phone go off, his eyes flicker down to the man's pocket, before letting his gaze wander as to not seem overly nosy. "Of course, I don't mean to keep you. I will say this much, I am glad to have you on board and not only because just having your name attached to Sitka will draw in your fans." His own hand reaches out around the same time Dante's does, giving a firm shake, "I'll stop by again before the Grand Opening. Here's looking forward to a successful business partnership."

"Ah, I think my fans might be expecting a spooky haunted house themed cocktail bar, not one with a beautiful giant metal tree," says Dante with a twist of his lips. "As do I, Mister Thorne."