[Gathering] Holiday Spirits

[not_lost]

It was turning out to be a subdued holiday season for Fiona, but with the chaos of the last year, she definitely didn't have any complaints. There was enough distance now between her and the worst of what had happened that she was able to really reflect on it all, and the calm atmosphere definitely made that easier. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't a little bummed at not being able to buy some extra presents for the kids this year, but she still had her bartending job and that meant the squirrel fund would stay full through the winter. She honestly couldn't ask for any more than that.

Today she was at that same job, writing in careful print on the large chalkboard behind the bar:

December Drink Specials

Candy Cane Cocktail
Maple Butter Kiss
Coquito
The Keats
Cherry Brandy Old Fashioned
Layered Christmas Shooter

She stepped back, dusting chalk from her hands as she looked over the list. Most of them she'd never made before, but she was a Gallagher, and that meant two things: She was adaptable and good with booze.

Turning, she offered a smile. "What can I get you?"

[Smoking Room gathering post! Tag Fiona and/or each other!]

Comments

[thelostprince]

Habits were starting to be formed; while Loki certainly hadn't fully discarded his Asgardian clothing, he found Midgardian suits much more, well, suitable these days. He wanted to keep a low profile, enjoyed it, even. He wasn't avoiding anyone, not by any means, but there was a certain entertainment value to be had in not living up to anyone else's expectations. It was an odd sort of rebellion without actually being rebellious, and he liked that.

Of course, every time he showed up similarly outfitted Fiona always liked to point out the disappointing lack of leather, but he didn't think she was actually disappointed.

"The least ridiculous one," he said, dryly. He propped his elbow on the bar, cradling his sharp chin in the palm of his hand, and gave her a look that was all raised eyebrows. "You people take your winter festivities far too seriously. Or not serious enough, maybe."

[not_lost]

"What we like is an excuse to celebrate," Fiona corrected with a smirk as she reached for the brandy and a cocktail shaker. "I would've thought you would appreciate something like that."

Orange liqueur, honey...apple cider vinegar? Apple cider vinegar. Okay then.

"You look nice," she continued, and flicked a glance up from the recipe card stashed behind the bar. "Watch out, I think you may be assimilating."

In went ginger syrup and ice, and she grasped the shaker in both hands to give it a solid shake. The drink she poured out after was golden yellow, over ice in a rocks glass.

"You get to be my guinea pig," she said as she slid the glass across the bar. "Shit, you probably don't know what that means. Like, um... Test subject. If it sucks I can't be held accountable, I just followed the directions."

[thelostprince]

"Do I strike you as a rather celebratory fellow?" Loki asked, dryly. But he didn't argue, not really, and watched with some interest as she mixed the drink. The scent of the ingredients was a strange mixture, a sort of acidic smell that reminded him of the apple brews of his youth, and honey.

"I might be," he agreed, when it came to the subject of him assimilating. He probably was, but that wasn't so much an insult as it might have been a year ago, as it was a rather on-the-mark comment. He held out his hand when she slid the drink towards him, picking it up with fingers that registered the cold more than they ever had before. It occurred to him that Fiona's remark might have a deeper truth to it; maybe his wielding of the stones was making him less than mortal.

Or just weak. Was that still the same thing? "Hm," he said, savouring the taste of the drink, the way the odd combination of ginger clearing through his nose coupled with the honey and the apple. "It's not bad," he said. "A little bit sweet for me, though."

[not_lost]

"Well, we wouldn't ever want anybody thinking you were sweet," Fiona replied with a smile as she picked the glass up and took a sip herself. He was right, it was on the sweeter side, but the vinegar actually cut it in a way that she found surprisingly tasty.

"I'll get you a scotch," she said, and reached for another glass. "If you don't want that, I'll drink it," she added with a nod toward the first drink.

[thelostprince]

Loki gave her a lazy half smile. "Well, now I have to say I don't want it, so you can guiltlessly drink the wares," he said. He did like scotch, though, which Fiona knew perfectly well; it was heavy, and smoky, and packed more of a punch. He had to admit that the Midgardians had certainly outdone themselves when it came to the brewing of finer spirits, though from a look at their history books it had certainly taken them more than enough time to fine-tune some of their distillation processes. He knew they had managed it, certainly - he'd drunk more than enough of his fair share of vodka thanks to Natasha.

"I wonder," he mused, watching her. "Have you seen my brother around, lately? He's been rather scarce. A bartender would know best, though."

[freezedout]

Isaac's slowly approaching the age where he can drink. Sometimes, he feels like it's not even worth the anticipation because he's pretty sure his werewolf metabolism is going to make it so that he'll need to blow through all his money just to get a little tipsy, but it's that or wolfsbane and after having one too many run-ins with that stuff, he's steering clear, thanks. He's here, really, more for the holiday ambiance. With no real family apart from Scott and Mrs. McCall, Isaac faces the holidays with wariness. It's a reminder of the holidays before things went all wrong.

This is why he could really use one of those drinks. Spirits to keep up his spirits. Except, he settles for staring at the board with chin in his hands, wondering when he's going to look old enough to drink.

[bonetown]

"Barkeep! Another of your..." Alex drifts towards the sign again and bends over to squint at the names. "Does the Maple Butter Kiss come with actual maple syrup?" she asks, pointing to it curiously. "I mean, or a cookie? I'm just saying, a maple cookie would totally be an awesome December surprise." She wanders back to the bar and hops back onto her stool, swaying back and forth and loving the festive cheer. Better than that? Soon, it would be Christmas, and she would get to watch people open presents. She was going to get to open presents.

Presents. That sweet unwrapping crinkle, that smell of disposed paper, and tape. Oh, yeah. This is definitely the most wonderful time of the year.