capeandcowllogs | Bar Log ((OPEN))

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Bar Log ((OPEN))

WHO: Tom Bronson + OPEN
WHERE: the bar
WHEN: all week
WARNINGS: none
SUMMARY: Tom now owns the bar, and everyone gets their first drink free for the first week.
FORMAT: quick

[It was Tom's first couple weeks running the bar, and, surprisingly, it had gone pretty well so far. The transition itself was a bit of a challenge, but once he'd become accustomed to it, it really wasn't so bad at all. In fact, he found himself even enjoying the work, even if it meant extra hours for the time being, since the promotion and port-outs lately meant that they were running a bit understaffed.

That wasn't why he was pulling other duties besides just managing the place, though. Working behind the bard was one of the best jobs he had, and he really enjoyed it. He got to talk to people at the bar (and occasionally have a drink or two himself). It was the social aspect that he liked, which was why, to maybe draw in a few new regular customers, he was offering free drinks for the week.]

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[Tom starts to get an idea of where this was going and starts to reach for his phone to help translate, though he kind of thinks he should forget about it and require Ggio to use English instead... to soften the harshness.]

Laura and I have been working out together, she's helping me get stronger. [He says that matter of factly, since he thought that was what Ggio wanted from him anyway.

He's a bit confused about the other problem though, and leans on the bar, closer to Ggio.] What do you mean he was being werid?

[The keyword there is 'stronger', so Laura is mostly in the clear. She was such a weird girl, though, Ggio wasn't sure what to think about her.

Even though they were alone, Ggio leans forward on the bar towards Tom, so he could keep his voice low.]

He got me a beer, and said he was watching me. I don't get what he's trying to do. I don't trust it.

Maybe he's just trying to be friendly. Did you think maybe he wants to be friends?

[Tom is still a bit concerned because he does trust Ggio's instincts, but there's still something missing that Ggio isn't telling him.]

Why don't you trust him?

[He shakes his head at the first part.]

That's what he says, but I don't believe him because of what he said before. He made me sound like nothing to you.

[While his voice is still quiet, he's obviously still quite angry about that, as his tone deepens and is even laced with a growl.]

[And that makes Tom legitimately frown. He isn't sure what happened or if Curtis was really to blame, but Tom didn't like this at all.]

What did he say to you before? [He sighs.] You know that isn't true, right?

Edited 2011-08-05 23:52 (UTC)

He said he was in our home at night, and didn't know who I was. When you were gone.

[At Tom's last words, Ggio finally stops glaring long enough to glance up at him - and a mix of emotions play across his face before he looks away. Maybe he was overreacting... but what if he was going too far in assuming that living with Tom meant the arrancar was above anyone else they knew? Tom wasn't a Hollow, it wasn't like how Ggio had lived before.]

Did you tell him about me?

Well, I've invited him over a few times...

[But that was before he knew that having people around the apartment bothered Ggio. He hadn't let anyone in their home (except Maxine once in a while) once Booga had moved out.]

I... Don't remember, Ggio.

[Okay... Ggio could rationalize this. As much as he wants to fly off the handle, it wouldn't get them anywhere, and he really wants to, well... not be such a kid about this.

His fingertips barely brush Tom's hand, and linger there.]

I still don't like him. He's not like your friends.

[He pulls away, runs his fingers through his hair, over his neck.]

I won't be... civil, if he talks to me again, like I'm a kid.

[Tom sighs finally, taking Ggio's hand and squeezing it reassuringly. He hated when anything bothered the arrancar, especially since it was his job to take care of him.]

What do you mean he's not like them? Does something about him seem dangerous or something?

[Tom still doesn't totally get it.]

I can't force the two of you to be friends or anything, but you're not allowed to harm him, okay? You both work here now, and sometimes that will mean working together, or at least staying out of each other's way.

Maybe. Not really. Like... [He doesn't know 'suspicious' or 'odd' in English.] He keeps trying to be a friend, but it's weird. Not like Maxine, or anybody.

[Huffs at a bit at the restriction on being rough.]

Fine. As long as he stays out of my way.

[After a minute or two, Tom finally sets down his phone to start translating.]

I still don't get what you mean, but like I said, I won't force you to be friends with him if you really don't want to.

Once you start school, I'll put the two of you on different hours. You'll work opening and early shifts until it's bedtime. Curtis will help me with the late crowd, last call, and closing.

I mean it's like he's really trying, and not because he wants to know me. At least, I don't believe so. He said it was for your sake, so I think he could care less about me, which is fine.

It's like he's trying to force me, even though we're not fighting, which makes it even weirder.

[The translator sure makes this a lot easier. He gets a little worked up while he lets it all out, but sighs and relaxes a bit once he's done.]

You mean after school? That's fine.

[But he pauses.]

... What do you mean 'bedtime'?

Edited 2011-08-06 06:28 (UTC)

Oh, so you think that he only wants to be friends with you because he thinks that's what I want? [He sighs a little.] I'm sorry, Ggio. That's my fault. I asked him to be kind to you for me. I didn't know that you two had such a rough start, and I asked him to be patient and try to be friends with you. I'll ask him to stop, if you'd like.

[He smiles just a little, and moves to ruffle Ggio's hair, lightly rubbing his neck.]

Bedtime means you can't stay up all night, since you have to go to school in the morning. I know that you're older than you look, but since you're in eleventh grade, I'm thinking you should try to sleep midnight. You can work at the bar until eleven, then I'm sending you home.

Yeah... That would be better.

[Otherwise, Ggio would probably start being most uncivil. The petting almost sets him to purring, until Tom starts explaining his restrictions, which makes Ggio sort of half-purr, half-growl.]

Why not? I like being up at night better. [Never mind that he had already adjusted to a diurnal schedule thanks to his first semester of school.] You can't stay out too long, either.

I can't close the bar until four, so I can't be home until after then.

Make someone else close it! You're the boss, you can do that now.

A manager has to stay until the bar closes to lock up everything. I don't have an assistant manager to do that for me yet, so I have to stay.

You'll be asleep when I get home regardless, so it doesn't matter.

Yes it does! Find that other person to do that for you soon.

You're not going to see me until the morning either way!

So what, I don't care! Do it anyway!

No! I have to work, Ggio.

But what about me!

[...Did he just say that...]

[And that catches Tom off guard.]

What? What do you mean? [He's confused.] You have to sleep and be rested for school.

[Looks like he's going to say something more, but bites his lips, growls, and pushes away from the bar instead, standing up.]

Nevermind. It doesn't matter.

Sit down.

[He practically growls the words, sounding more commanding than he intended.]

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