What the Bartender Hears is Confidential, Isn't It?

[sweartoit]

[This is Dominic. Dominic used to work at a five star restaurant called the Pixel Palace.
There, some of video game’s most popular celebrities pop in to have a drink.
Well he doesn't work there anymore, now he works at the House of Mouse, tending drink to all the guests.
Sometimes, they share stories and even secrets.
Because, as we all know, what the bartender hears is confidential, isn’t it?

...

So here I am tending the bar to the House of Mouse. Yes I work for the mouse of Disney now, isn't that a kicker? Well, I happen to work with many of strange folks, some being those weird half animal, half human types, I guess you can call them anthros. The... Boss kinda discourages from using the term "furries", says it may be too "risky", might offend others but whatever. I've already had Fox McCloud tell me all about "humanies", lord knows I'm done with that whole thing.

Stands up straight a bit as he cleans one of the glasses. Looks to the side of the bar, gives a sort of sigh to himself.

My only hope really is that I won't be dealing as much... interesting sort of characters like I did in Pixel Palace. But, with a bit of luck and a more family friendly enviornment perhaps it won't be so bad.]

Comments

[sweartoit]

Excellent.

Ah let's see...

[Takes out the menu for him.]

There are a couple of things, Sky Blue Mousses, Garlic Glazed Breadsticks, Shield Cookies, Thundercrackers, Prickle Peppers. We also got a fair share of desserts on there if you're interested in that instead.

[crampinmyback]

Hmm. [He drums his fingers over his mouth in thought, then points at a spot on the menu, glancing up with a grin.]

The honey bunny icecream?

[sweartoit]

[Gives a smile.]

Ah~ That's always a classic. Coming right up.

[Dominic goes into the back. Soon enough he comes back out with n adorable apple and honey ice cream shaped just like a bunny on a plate.]

There you are, enjoy. Would you like a spoon, or a napkin? It can get rather sticky.

[crampinmyback]

[He rubs his hands together eagerly as the plate is set down. That did look good.]

Both, please.

[sweartoit]

[Goes to get a spoon and napkin for him.]

There you are.

[crampinmyback]

Terrific, thank you!

[And he digs right in. Yep, this was just as good as the drink.]

So-- [Hold on, gotta swallow so he's not speaking through icecream.] What's it like working here?

[sweartoit]

[Gives a smile as leans a bit on the bar with arms folded.]

Oh well, it's a bit better, than where I used to work. I used to be a bartender at the Pixel Palace.

[Gives a sigh.]

Unfortunately many of odd things happened there. ...Little bit of an understatement, but this environment seems a bit more promising. I try to keep optimistic.

[crampinmyback]

Mm, well. [He props an elbow on the countertop and turns the spoon a little, gesturing.] I know what it's like to get to a better place. Good for you.

[sweartoit]

[Finally gives a relaxed smile.

You know, this may be considered "unprofessional", but this kid sorta makes me relaxed... And I mean like, friends, don't get any wrong ideas. I-I mean he's cute, but no no, don't over think friendlyness, no. Certainly wouldn't mind talking with him more. Lot saner than most blokes I have to deal with it at times.

Gives a nod as he gestures to himself.]

Dominic, by the way.

What's yours?

[crampinmyback]

Once-ler, at your service. [He tips his hat slightly, then snickers a bit.] Ah, well, I guess you're at mine, but that's- yeah that's beside the point.

[sweartoit]

[Gives a chuckle at that.

He is cu-FRIENDS. STOP. Bloody hell, I need to get out more...

Gestures.]

Well as long as we're not in a musical number of "Be Our Guest", we'll be alright.

[crampinmyback]

[He chuckles at that, leaning on the counter with a grin.]

Yeah, that'd certainly be something else. I don't think I'm ready for random musical numbers.

[Beat. Shrug.] Others, anyway. Not like that.

[sweartoit]

[Shakes head.]

Ah, you wouldn't want me singing anyway.

Not much for performing myself.

[crampinmyback]

Oh? Well, around me that may change, my good sir! [He shakes a finger at Dominic, then grins.] Performing is what I do! I was almost a songwriter before I invented the Thneed.

[sweartoit]

[Dominic raises his brows a bit. Then gives a chuckle as he waves his hand.]

Oh no no no, that's alright really.

[crampinmyback]

Alright, but I might get a song out of you yet.

[sweartoit]

[... He shouldn't smile like that. Smiling like that should be illegal. Smiling like that makes you feel funny. A-And not in funny ha ha-funny in a makes you stomach roll itself into a knot. Now what the funny this is, if you bear with me. I'm not sure what kind of knot it is. I mean it could be fear, I do have stage fright, the impending doom is imminent.

Granted. I'm not a bad singer... I... Really, I'm not. Average at best I would say. But singing in public makes me feel a bit I dunno, judged might be a good answer. Although I'm certainly ok with singing perhaps a little when everyone else is and practically drunk enough they wouldn't remember the next morning-BUT! I digress.

That knot in my stomach... I do hope it doesn't stay in there for long. Because it's way too odd.

Clears his throat as he blinks. Wags his finger.]

Now you behave.

[crampinmyback]

[He laughs, shaking his head a little as he looked down, going back to his icecream and drink.]

[sweartoit]

[Gives a little chuckle back as he goes back to attending the bar.

Well... Perhaps it's just a tease. I shouldn't look too far into it... I wonder if it's the alcohol effecting him. Ah, well, guess I'll wait till he starts slurring his words before I cut him off. How bad could he be?]

[crampinmyback]

[The ice clinked when the glass moved, the spoon scraped across the plate, and there was a light tapping that melded with the gentle quiet of the bar. Once-ler's free hand was resting on the counter, two or three of his fingers tapping out some rhythm in his head, of which there was the lightest bobbing along with it.]

1/2

[sweartoit]

[Is that... A song? No... No, no, no, no. I know what you're doing. It's not gonna work, you'll just have to pay attention to some other bloke!

Looks away, tries to pay attention to cleaning cups. Beats of the rhythm practically echoed the bar, at least to him. Gives a slight twitch. Bits his lip, rolls his eyes.

Oh bloody hell my curiosity bit the cat and it came back.]

2/2

[sweartoit]

[Gives a sigh, turns around.]

What's that song?

[Onceler, you are much too good at this game.]

[crampinmyback]

Song? [Once-ler glances up with a blink, then looks down at his hand, as if first noticing what his fingers were doing.]

Oh. [He covers his hand with his other and laughs sheepishly, looking up.] Just something I wrote back when I was first- first selling the Thneed.

[sweartoit]

[Folds his arms.]

Well Onceler, you have my interest in your musical talent, how does it go?

[crampinmyback]

Weeelll... I'm not used to doing it a capella, but I'll give it a shot.

[He clears his throat, hesitates a moment, then starts singing, continuing to tap out the rhythm as he goes.]

Everybody needs a Thnee~eed
A fine thing that all people need
The Thneed is good, the Thneed is great
And it's just three-ninety-ei~ei~eiiiight

[He's bouncing a little more, drumming with both hands now as he grins.]

Everybody needs a Thneed
It's revolutionary, guaranteed

[Once-ler grins and winks on that line.]

The Thneed is new, the Thneed is nice
And did you see that pri~i~ice?

[And he laughs softly, gesturing with his hand.] And it goes on to mention a few uses of the Thneed, and so on.