[Open] Late Night Drink

The coolest thing about Paulownia Mall is that it never closed. Of course, that wasn't true for all of its venues - in fact, most of its stores still worked on a rather strict schedule, which made sense - no one in their right mind would enter a clothing store in the dead of the night. But the building itself was still open, and while there were security guards making sure that no homeless people would be spending the night there, anyone was free to enter it and visit whatever venues were still open, with the lineup mostly consisting of fast food joints. But there was one exception - a single venue which, as a matter of fact, was only open during the night.

The bar.

Considering how strictly forbidden selling alcohol to minors was in Japan, it was deemed appropriate that the only place doing so within the mall should only work around the time when most minors wouldn't be around. And, at 8:30 PM, which was when Inna entered it, the bar was pretty much the only place in the entire mall which had any life whatsoever. The young woman really needed a drink - considering all of the stuff that she had gone through recently, she felt like she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. And while a drink wasn't going to magically solve all of her problems, it was certainly going to help ease the stress just a little bit. And, considering that, presently, her daughter was living with Chiharu, she decided that it was okay for her to stay out late for just one evening.

The original plan for the night was suggested by one of the girls working at the Kitsune Kissa and it involved her, Inna and another waitress hitting the bar together. The blond woman agreed, calling Ellie in order to let her know she'd be back late. However, for unrelated reasons, both of them had to bail out, leaving Inna all by herself. She wondered about whether or not to cancel the whole thing, but considering that she already told Ellie she'd be late, and that she really needed to release some stress pretty badly, she ultimately decided to just go by herself and see how everything goes.

After entering the bar, Inna noticed that it was relatively full - considering its modest size, there were about a dozen people sitting at the bar and on the tables beside it. "At least someone here's gotta be worth talking to" the woman thought as she walked up to the bar, taking a seat on one of the stools and showing her ID card to the bartender before ordering herself a martini.

Mihoko had been needing a good night out for some time. She'd been feeling down because it seemed like every time she started to get along really well with one of the other teachers, for one reason or another, they had to leave. That's when the thought hit her,

"I know! A bar! I can meet people in bar!" 


No ever claimed it was a good idea, but it was better than sitting around her apartment for another night feeling lonely. After a little second guessing and a lot getting ready she was on her way. 
She arrived a little early and found herself a seat at the bar and after presenting her I.D. she ordered a screwdriver. She sipped on the drink for some time, just watching her surroundings. She asked herself at one point  "Was this really such a good idea?" no sooner had she asked herself that than a blond woman took a seat next to her and ordered a Martini. Mihoko couldn't help herself, she half turned her head to the woman next to her and in her best (Most terrible) Sean Connery voice said

"Shaken, not stirred."

Realizing how dumb that sounded she immediately followed up with an apology.

"Sorry, that was stupid. I shouldn't be bothering people like that."

'Wow, seriously?' Inna couldn't help but let out a genuine laugh. 'That's, like, the most cliched thing you could have said in this situation!' she smiled. Once her companion expressed her regret, Inna shook her head. 'Oh, no, don't worry about it! You're not bothering me! In fact, I could use some company... The girls I was supposed to come with all bailed on me, so... You know' she smiled. 'I'm Inna Wilson. Real pleasure to meet you! And I assume you must be Jane Bond?' she chuckled.

Mihoko let out a laugh at the return joke.

"Good guess, but not quite. Ikina, Mihoko. Nice to meet you." 

she said as she gave a friendly smile, then added.

"As long as you're sure you don't mind, I'd be more than happy to keep you company. Truth be told I came here to try and meet some new people, and it looks like I've done that just now."

The Queen of Delinquents was no stranger to late nights. One might find the idea that a high school life, even one spent building up the biggest criminal record in the prefecture stressful laughable, but Yuka was feeling stressed. Living the delinquent life was based on one thing, and one thing alone. And that thing was strength. Strength was the basis of her reputation. Stories abounded of her physical prowess, and the unspeakable violence that she had visited on her foes. There wasn't a delinquent around that hadn't heard of her many bouts. Unfortunately for Yuka that strength wasn't what it used to be. Her condition made that kind of exertion incredibly risky. Not to mention she'd gotten out of shape in the recovery period. So far, the gang hadn't caught on yet. But she was walking a dangerous line. What would happen if they found that that the tiger was made of paper? Yuka didn't want to think about it.

The blonde brushed off those dark thoughts as she pushed open the door to the bar. The mall was kind an odd place for a bar, but hopefully it would provide what Yuka wanted. Surprisingly, the bar was full, but with things they way they were, Yuka wasn't surprised. She couldn't be the only one with demons on the inside. Obviously the youngest person there, she took a seat at the bar anyway. It didn't look like there was anyone she knew here. That shouldn't have been surprising. Most high school students wouldn't even think of a place like as somewhere to go. But she couldn't smoke anymore, and comfort food would only take her so far. So here she was.

At the bar, Yuka fished around for her ID. She had a fake one of dubious quality. But in the dim lighting of the bar, it would probably pass. It had gotten beer from the store before, so she figured it might work here. What was the worst that could happen. She slid the ID over towards the tender, her whole expression just basically saying don't mess with me. "Give me a beer." She said. What a terrifying high school girl!

Julius walked into the bar, an unusually dark scowl on his face.

God, they really know how to piss me off. The nerve…

I need a drink.

And so he had walked the few blocks down from his apartment building to the mall.
They may not have the selection of O'Connor's, but it'll do for now.

He walked up to the bar.
"Whisky. Neat."

Mihoko saw a man approach the bar and order a drink, and she was pretty sure she recognized him too. 
She turned to the man and said

"Excuse me, but aren't you the new Therapist at Yamaku? I'm Ikina, Mihoko one of the teachers at the school."

His expression shifted immediately as he noticed her.
Behave yourself, man. You're not alone out here.

"Ah, good evening, Ikina-sensei. Julius Schmidt, psychological counselor, at your service."

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Dr. Schmidt. I'd of introduced myself sooner, but you've probably seen by now how crazy things can get around a school this time of year."
she said with a small chuckle.

"Oh, I've more than seen it. I suppose that is what they keep me around for, after all," he replied with a grin.

"Matter of fact, I had a session today with perhaps our student who produces the most craziness. Not sure what to think about all that yet. They saw fit to let him back for the fall term after all, so I suppose we'll see."

LQ-84i wrote:The thread is to be wound back to the beginning of Marcus' second post for discrepancies to be handled from its root. I will also agree that there's hardly much need in having to approach a person most likely immediately aside you. I will ask Mihoko's roleplayer to edit the post addressing Dr.Schmidt in a manner that reflects the positioning of Dr.Schmidt relative to the bar.

[A-OOC: This is a general notice before action is taken. There has been an issue a roleplayer has had with how Marcus Tanaka knows about their character having not roleplayed with them prior to this meeting. It has been expressed to me that his character does not know that character and would like the thread returned to the point where that post was first made. Also, regarding the post in need of editing, the post only requires edits referring to the quotation above and no further alterations. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for understanding.  ~Fox]

[Any questions or comments regarding this notice may be sent directly to me via PM. Admins can contact me through Skype to discuss the action taken.]


[EDIT: I went one post too far back and am unable to retrieve it.]

"I'm pretty sure I know who you're talking about, I quite agree with you."

A sudden look of surprise and embarrassment suddenly hit Mihoko's face

"OH! I'm sorry, where are my manners? Dr.Schmidt, this is Inna Wilson. My partner in crime for the night."
she said as she motioned to Inna.

"Hey I have an idea, why don't the three of us drink together? It'll give us all a chance to really get to know one another."

"Quite right. Ms. Wilson…"
I'd best lay off that subject…
"How do you do?"

Inna looked the stranger over, trying to deduce whatever she could based on his appearance. He was foreign, that much was for sure. Perhaps German, judging by the name she overheard earlier. He was definitely an intellectual, though - and he wasn't bad-looking, either. Perhaps Inna could have let him buy her a drink...

Behave yourself, girl! You've been single for way too long now. Don't get desperate!

'Pleasure to meet you, Dr. Schmidt" she smiled back at him. "My daughter gave me an evening off, so I decided to take advantage of the offer! What about you? What brings you here?'

Nice, going, Inna... That's gotta be a record for how quickly you played the "I'm a single mother" card after meeting someone... And you wonder why your love life is in shambles. Well, there goes my free drink... But at least he won't flirt with me all night only to give me a fake number when he learns I have a kid.

"Well, cheers to that," he said with a soft grin.
Of course, I'll be likewise busy soon enough.

He unbuttoned his graphite-toned jacket and took a seat next to the two.

"As for myself, to be honest, I managed to escape the in-laws for a bit."

In-laws, huh... Should have figured. Ah well, it's not like I came here with the purpose of hooking up... But it would have been nice.

'Oh, an escape artist, huh?' Inna chuckled, taking a sip of her martini. 'And how does your lucky lady feel about you talking up not just one, but two very attractive single girls at a bar?' she glanced at Mihoko with a smirk on her face. Of course, she didn't actually know if Mihoko was single, but then again, no girl in a relationship would ever go to a bar by herself - at least not without a major problem of one sort or another. So it was probably a safe bet that the young teacher didn't have anyone yet.

He was quick to respond, never one to miss a beat. If a battle of and word and wit was the goal, it would be hard-fought.

"Is that right?
As I see, this is rather a happenstance encounter betwixt colleagues, a happy accident, if anything. Furthermore, I seem to recall that I was not, in fact, the one to begin the conversation. However, in the interest of newfound camaraderie, I'll forgive this small lapse in memory," he replied with his own shrewd grin.

As for Yumi, she's probably preoccupied with Fukuo droning on for the thousandth time about her marrying a gaijin instead of a "proper Japanese man."

She walks into the bar looking lost as always. The past few months have been nothing but blurry memories, focusing in and out of her minds eye. Taunting and teasing her about what once was.

Sigh. I can't continue to do this anymore... I need to forget. Maybe a few drinks will help or maybe it will make me remember...her.

Lost in her own city, Eos sits down quietly at the bar, waving for the bartender to come her way. She needed a drink and fast. She just wanted to forget it all. The fire, the relationship, her sister. All she wanted was to just fade into the background. Maybe the pain would fade with it.

"Bartender! Hey, Bartender! I need a drink, stat. Hit me with your strongest."

She slams a large bill onto the counter as her head slams down with it, onto her folded arm.

Lets see if I can still drink like the rest of em...

'Yeah, well, good luck explaining all of that to whoever's watching right now' Inna smirked. 'But don't worry, Mr. Schmidt, I'll play nice. I wouldn't want to--'

And in that moment, Inna's eyes focused on a view that seemed like it was out of this world. Her mouth gaped slightly, and her grip tightened around her martini glass. Someone had just entered the bar, someone she thought she would never see again. It had been so long... And Inna herself had changed so much. Would she even be recognized in this form? After all, she was no longer the short-haired 12 year old girl who was paralyzed from the waist down and was fighting depression. Back then, she required a caregiver for everything, given that her father was still busy with his mercenary job, which was why the two of them had chosen Eos to do it, given that her scarring proved that she had also survived a tragedy. But after Inna regained her mobility thanks to a cybernetic implant, Eos' services were no longer needed, and last Inna heard, she had returned to Japan. After that, the two of them pretty much lost contact, except for the very occasional phone call, which happened about twice a year or so, if even that often, and never lasted for more than 10 minutes due to their busy schedules. In fact, it was one of those phone calls that informed Inna that Ai Futeki was looking for a manager for one of the cafes and was willing to pay quite well for it, thus prompting Inna and Ellie's decision to move to Japan. But the young woman was never under the impression that her caregiver was still living in the city - it seemed obvious now that she thought about it, but she always assumed that Eos had moved out and started practicing in another city long ago.

She knows what my voice sounds like, but I wonder if she'll recognize me now that I've changed so much... Should I go to her and say hi? She seems kind of depressed, considering what she just ordered... Should I talk to her, or would she prefer not to be bothered? I want to go to her, but I've also got Julius and Mihoko, and I can't just abandon them...

Inna sighed. The decision was difficult, but it had to be made. Well... Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to have her join there company. Eos did seem pretty lonely, after all.

'Hey, Mr. Schmidt...' she turned to him discreetly. 'The girl who just sat behind the bar is an old friend of mine. Mind if I invite her over?'

"I wouldn't want to–"

"Hm?"
He discreetly glanced over his shoulder, following Inna's gaze as it shifted slightly to the side.
Haven't I seen her around one of the hospitals before?

"Mind if I invite her over?"

"Not at all."

Inna nodded with a smile, then turned to the bartender and glanced slightly at Eos.

'Could you put her drinks on my tab?' she asked. As the barkeep nodded, the blond woman brushed her hair behind her ear, wanting to look as presentable as possible, then took her martini and stood up from her chair. 'Be right back!' she spoke to Julius.

With that said, Inna walked up to her old friend and sat down on the bar stool next to her, not even attempting to hide her presence. 'Howdy, stranger!' she spoke to Eos in English with a wide smile on her face, hoping that this would be enough to allow the scarred woman to recognize her.

{Mihoko's RPer asked me to tell you guys to continue the thread without her. There is some family stuff going on that she needs to deal with right now. Thanks for understanding.}