[ OPEN ] willkommen, bienvenue, welcome

[feintofhart]

Who: The Adults Of Aldrip
Where: A handy dandy bar!
What: Claude has collaborated with one of the local bar-owners to host a Chosen-only night for the adults of Aldrip to have a nice night away from the prying eyes of locals.
Warnings: Alcohol, drug-use, grown men making embarrassments of themselves, potential hand-holding.



Welcome one and all to a place where the Chosen are able to unbutton that top button, sit back, and relax, free of the badgering eyes of locals, and able to mingle amongst like minds! Your local Apothecarist, Claude von Riegan, came up with this idea with one of the local bar-owners as a good way to drum up business amidst the Chosen for a place for the Chosen and the Chosen alone to be able to shed some of that weight they've been carrying. Claude himself has made no secret of the fact that he's the one who put this shindig together, openly advertising it as something of his own creation, a community building effort for everyone to bond with one another in a context in which they're not forced to do so by threat of death or imprisonment.

For this evening, liquor has been put out for the Chosen to serve themselves, and runs freely enough that everyone will be able to drink their fill, though there's a table at the back of the room laden with all sorts of bar snacks to help fill people's bellies and soak up some of that liquor; flatbreads and fried delights, a generous selection of meats and cheeses, and confections enough to satisfy even the most demanding sweet tooth.

Along the south end of the bar there are a collection of booths, far enough away from the booming sound system to be able to chat quietly amongst themselves, if you're the more retiring sort and would just like to have a nice talk over a pint or two. In this area, you may also find a few hookahs at your disposal, filled with tobacco or hashish, courtesy of Claude himself -- though he hasn't shied away from cheekily including business cards at each table, advertising his place of business should you wish to purchase teas, salves, potions, and yes, all manner of smokable delights.

In the centre of the establishment, chairs and tables have been cleared away to make room for dancing, if you so please, with the sound system at the Chosen's disposal if they want to pump up the beats or put on a slow song to rock to and fro with a honey or two (or three?).

Lastly, there's a brand new karaoke machine that's been installed along the far east corner of the room, in case anyone would like to thoroughly embarrass themselves. What do you mean, you're a good singer? Then get out of here! You should know by now that that's not what the spirit of karaoke is about!

If there's anything else you would like added, dear player -- just write it in, and it's yours! Whatever can feasibly fit into a bar, you can assume it's present for all and sundry to enjoy.

Comments

[melnik]

[ This substance (drug?) sounds too good to be true. Usually when something sounds that way, that's because it is, but when the alternative is death, the drawbacks do tend to become more acceptable. And given that this is all a pipe dream at this point and he has no real way of knowing whether or not he could bring it back to her, Miller is highly inclined to entertain it.

Which is why he doesn't ask about these stories. About the less beneficial side-effects of which he's sure must exist. ]

Silco... Do you have Shimmer here?

[ It is clear from the way that Miller focuses all in on him, from how he sets his cigar down and brings both hands to the table, that he is gearing up to make a plea. All he needs is a "yes." Laying out all of his cards in front of a businessman like him might not normally be advisable to anyone looking to make a deal... but Miller is not concerned with splitting hairs. There wouldn't be any price too steep.

On the behavior of the other Chosen, he is in agreement. However, personally extending this cautiousness has not seemed to lead him anywhere so far. ]

You're right, but I do wonder if it is even possible to keep everyone in check enough to try a different approach. No matter what we do, people will keep bashing their heads against the walls like it's going to break them out of prison if they just don't give up.

[ Can he afford to just be patient? He really isn't sure anymore. But in any case, he's pleased to have the drink offer accepted and calls out to the waiter with a "make that two!" ]

[conflictresolution]

[Over the years, Shimmer had been refined to various versions, concentrations, and substrates for administration. The Doctor was responsible for that, and he would continue to fund any research requests because of it. He wondered if Sevika would upkeep the refineries with him gone or if they would be choke-held by another Chem-Baron. No matter.

He swirled his whiskey, ignoring the growing anticipation in the man next to him. It was palpable, so he knew what question was about to be asked of him. His mismatched eyes flicked over when he came, observing Miller with all that unspoken desperation of a father willing to make the hard choices for the benefit of their daughter.]

It's dangerous to ask such things. [He lifted his tumbler, dropping his voice to where the other man would have to strain to hear but still could.] Yes, I do.

[While he had no doubt that the sister and the enforcer were fully aware of Shimmer being present thanks to Jinx, he kept his dealings in the substance very subtle. It was for family personal use, but he was willing to entertain providing it to Miller based on previous discussions and the fact this one seemed to have restraint. Though, he did have to wonder what sort of monster could be let out of the bag if Miller was exposed to some of the newer versions.]

It would take something to bind us together with a united purpose, and I don't believe that we have reached that point. There are plenty of free spirits.

[So far there wasn't any one person that could bring everyone together. There were an extensive and complicated amount of competing agendas, and he wasn't yet willing to put the work in for a play at leadership. He also had little interest in following the directive of others.]

We will have to settle on some agreed solution to our existence here someday.

[melnik]

[ The message is clear to him already from the halting path it takes to get there. The last few softspoken words are just the seal. Instead of jumping to his feet though, Miller looks away, taking a deep, silent breath of the smoke still rising from his cigar. Of course he thinks of what Silco has brought this drug here for, but self-servingly, he lets it stay a passing thought and leans into the backrest of the booth with a casualness that removes the gravity of his request obvious to anyone out of earshot. ]

Your price... Name it.

[ What more needed to be said?

He isn't too keen on letting someone else take up the leadership mantle either, but if that was what it took to come to a collective decision, then so be it. That said, he does unfortunately have to agree that such a notion seems incredibly far off. ]

The problem is that this "something" to bind us together may never happen on its own. We may need to force it to happen. And that is a risky move that so far has given us very little payoff.

[ And it isn't that he's unwilling to throw his hat in the ring, mind you... it's just that it needs to have a ghost of a chance beyond let's blow shit up and see what happens. ]

[conflictresolution]

[If he had come here to this gathering expecting to be negotiating for his prized product as a distraction from his loneliness, he actually had no idea. Shimmer had to be a closely kept matter for him as he understood the current abuse of it could result in the Council removing it completely. He could not allow that to happen, and yet, a certain reckless part of him was interested to see what this place would be with it here.

He sighed from his nose at the open-ended request, mismatched eyes staring into the depths of his tumbler as he considered his options. He liked a decisive man, which Miller was proving to be.]

I'll think about it. After all, I don't yet know what you have that I want. I would advise when I provide it to you that you keep it on your person at all times in case you are taken from this place.

[Because he would give a vial to Miller. There was no reason to deny a father the opportunity to save his daughter, and Silco was convinced that he did have a solution to that problem in Shimmer. He had seen it work, and he hadn't cared for the cost even now when it had cost him his life. He would do it again in the heartbeat even if he had to repeat the decision.

He dropped his tumbler back on the table and reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose to chase away a headache.]

You speak truth, but there are some that will carve the power for power's sake, for control. The right person that most can get behind, even grudgingly, will be the most difficult part of any venture here. Who would want such a position knowing they have to hold the multiple factions together? It would be like herding cats.

[It would be a thankless, frustrating position. He figured someone would have to 'play nice' otherwise it would cause a war between the multiple groups. Normally he would just kill a few people to get everyone in line, but that wouldn't work here. He knew that and getting everyone hooked on Shimmer would also create a dangerous situations. He would have control in his own way, but it had to be subtle.]

[melnik]

[ This event was apparently designed for the Chosen to strengthen their bonds with each other, and although Miller had really taken it as an opportunity to gauge others' willingness to work together on investigative efforts, he also had zero expectation of where it has actually brought him. Specifically, where speaking to a familiar face has brought him.

The impulsivity of his actions are only starting to hit him now that he's heard it: "when" I provide it. Very well. That acknowledgement is satisfactory enough for now, more than satisfactory even. Maybe he was getting too in the weeds with this man he barely knows for this drug that he knows so little about. But what does it matter? It's all a hypothetical anyway. Any shred of information or power could truly be torn away from them at any time. If there was some chance that making a deal like this could help Anna, then he might as well try. ]

Alright. I understand. In the meantime, if you need an extra hand with your business, just let me know. Not as payment. Because I appreciate your forthcomingness...

[ The casino is not exactly an exclusive gig and for a guy like Miller, any amount of downtime here is quickly maddening. Hence, ]

And I need something to do.

[ Speaking of which, the way Silco talks about the arrangement that would be needed in this place is really making him think. He takes a drag, looking at the cigar that's reaching its end as he breathes out the smoke. ]

True. Sounds like a job for a truly crazy person. I used to do something like that, once. But one person cannot support an entire army. It is a unit. The key is to gather a small group of likeminded, trustworthy people first. The position of leader is not given; it is earned.

[conflictresolution]

[He would make a point so show Miller a little of Shimmer even after giving the man the vial, and while it would be a touch on the personal side, he didn't want the man to be under complete disillusion and inquire with others of his world. What he was offering was salvation between a man and his daughter, something no one else of their world would actually understand.

After all, Miller seemed reasonable and pragmatic enough to research for himself and the man likely understood that all cures such as thing had a few side effects. They were better than watching one's child die.]

There are always openings where my businesses are concerned. If you want a job or task to fill the day, all you have to do is ask. [Perhaps in time Miller could be someone he could build trust and loyalty with. It was interesting the man didn't entirely distrust him yet.]

Perhaps you will again then. Perhaps you are the key to pulling the right people together and become the glue that will keep many of the Chosen in line enough to work together. You're even tempered enough, and you've created no ill amid the Chosen, and you have experience. Something to consider.

[melnik]

[ Yes, some research would definitely be warranted—however, he couldn't wait to seize the opportunity when it presented itself. Now that they've reached at least some vague agreement, he'll just have to see how things pan out. What he actually learns about Shimmer...

In the meantime, he's pleased to get this response. ]

Good! In that case, I'm asking. Wherever you could most use a hand.

[ It is probably clear that he's best with physical work, but he's not about to act like he's too good for another job either. As for the considerations on moving forward in this place though, there is far less levity to his tone. In fact, he's quiet for a moment as he begins to tap the spent cigar into an ash tray. ]

I made a vow a long time ago... to protect my people, at all costs, and in our time of crisis, to never stand on one side of the line or the other. Never to get caught up in the squabbling of personal ideologies. This place may not be my home, but that throughline remains the same.

I am old, my friend. It was already time for me to pass the torch, and I don't care to take the role of "leader." But if I can influence others to help one another without getting lost in civil disputes, then that is what I intend to do.

[ Miller slides his glass closer to himself, to the edge of the table and lifts it briefly in Silco's direction. ]

Your input is valuable to me. Thank you.

[conflictresolution]

[He would make certain to get ahead of this before the others of his world could slander the legitimate good that Shimmer provided to his people, to his daughter. If he was providing this gift to Miller, it would come with more of an explanation, of course. For some reason, perhaps it wouldn't matter in the long run to the older man because this was an opportunity to save Miller's child. Who wouldn't make that sacrifice?]

Very well. It seems we are in agreement with each other. I'll let to know where I need the assistance, but the Last Drop could always use a strong man on the door.

[He wouldn't waste Miller's physical presence, and he had seen the mean side of enforcers throughout his life time to guess that there was military or law enforcement training that went deep in the man. It seemed to him that very little would ever intimidate the older man at this rate, and that was an admirable quality, especially given how few he could think that about in Aldrip.]

That is an admirable goal, though who you choose to protect here is rather different. We may all be called Chosen, but it hardly seems our goals align and many act against the interest of most.

[His daughter included, he would admit. Her need for chaos took her in directions best meant for Zaun. He enjoyed her antics, of course.]

Perhaps a mentorship role then. That could pass on your valuable experience and impose some restraint for those too exuberant to make a name for themselves. Time will tell if you have a name to put that experience behind.

[He lifted his glass in return, finishing off the liquid in it.]

As is yours.