02: [Visual] + [Location: Caritas]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

Casey punches the broadcast button on the tablet which is sitting on the bar counter and leans into frame. He's got a bruise or two, maybe a laceration on the cheekbone but it's minor and woe betide anyone commenting on it.

"I've got this leather duster here," he holds it up, "from the warehouse rescue. If you're the owner of said coat, I'm at Caritas, the demon bar in Osten. Ask for Casey."

He turns off the transmission and tosses the coat under the counter out of the way.

"So, where were we?" He starts grabbing some bottles of liquor and setting them on the bar in front of him.

Comments

[ location: caritas ]

[likeajoan.livejournal.com]

"You were gonna mix the yellow thing with the other yellow thing."

This is supplied helpfully by Buffy, who was just off-screen there, throughout that transmission. "And I think that coat is Spike's."

...she knows rather than thinks, but still.

[ location: caritas ]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

"Spike? What kind of name is that? Is that like his wannabe biker name or something? And it's Advocaat and Galliano. Come on, at least try and remember the names." He eyes her with impatience. "So are you gonna write it down or do you have a cocktail-making Intersect in your head?"

[ location: caritas ]

[likeajoan.livejournal.com]

"He's a vampire, just be glad he's not calling himself Lestat." This is legitimate advice, though once upon a time she probably would've mocked the name equally.

"Hey, I don't need to write it down. I have total recall. It's... Avocado and vaguely-Italian-sounding-piano-thing." A pause. "Okay, fine, I'm writing it down." Here comes the pen and paper. This is oddly like spending time with Giles, except with booze instead of books. "How long did it take you to learn all this stuff?"

[ location: caritas ]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

"What is it with vampires in this town? Is it the new craze? You're not one of those chicks who gets off on being bit are you?"

He watches as she gets out stuff to write on and then nods.

"Good. It's gonna take some time but once you get the recipes sorted, you'll be able to throw a drink together without thinking too hard about it."

Then in answer to her question...

"On and off? About twenty years." He chuckles and shrugs. "I'm just yanking your chain. Did a few training courses, the rest I picked up in the field. It's the same as anything, practice makes perfect. So are you ready to try making this cocktail yourself?"

[ location: caritas ]

[likeajoan.livejournal.com]

"Craze, yes. New, not so much. And ew, god no. No waaaay. Gross. Extremely. And painful. Or so I... imagine." Which is not exactly a lie, because she doesn't enjoy getting bit. She just has a weakness for other... vampire... things. Shut up.

She looks momentarily horrified when Casey says the words 'twenty years', but then laughs when it becomes clear that he's kidding. "You scared me there for a sec," she admits, setting down her pen and eyeing the recipe carefully. "Yeah, I think so. I'm ready. I'll kick this cocktail's ass. You know, figuratively. I don't want to break anything."

[ location: caritas ]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

Casey gives her a look which pretty much says 'Good attempt at a cover there, missy.' He doesn't dig further, though, opting for concentrating on the tutorial he's giving her.

"Okay, then. I'm taking the training wheels off. Go to it. I'll be the sampler of the finished product, though, wouldn't want to use anyone else as the guinea pig." He shifts over, allowing her space to work. "After we've mastered the Casablanca, we'll try a Martini."

[ location: caritas ]

[likeajoan.livejournal.com]

Buffy just tries to look really really innocent in response to that look, which probably doesn't come off too convincingly. She's always been a terrible liar. It's nice that Casey doesn't press the point though.

"Very noble." She teases, taking the reins. She's a little nervous, but mostly just focused on following the recipe as closely as possible. "Tada!" She says finally, once she's done. The end product is probably passable if not amazing, because inevitably she will have put slightly too much of one thing and not enough of another. "I apologize in advance if it's tragic."

[ voice ]

[tothelibrary.livejournal.com]

That's Spike's coat.

[ voice ]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

You're not Spike, I take it.

[ visual ]

[tothelibrary.livejournal.com]

Switching to visual, Dawn waves at her tablet.

"Not even a little." Yes, she's still depressed about Xander, but Summers women are good at burying these things.

[ visual ]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

"So what is your name? Or do I gotta guess? I've give you a hint, I don't like playing twenty questions." There's a quirk of humour at his lips, though.

[location | Caritas]

[ironshodboots]

Nazca walks in as if she is completely at ease, despite the fact the decor is nothing like she's ever seen before. "So you went marauding, got a snappy coat, and you're actually giving it back? Bravo to you."

Caritas is really like nothing she's ever seen, but you'd never guess it, her demeanor confidently casual as ever.

[location | Caritas]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

Casey's pleased to see her and stands a little straighter.

"I don't know if taking down a bunch of Extras counts as marauding, but thanks. Coat wouldn't have fit me anyways. I'm broader and taller than the wearer. So, what can I get you?"

[location | Caritas]

[ironshodboots]

"Mm. Well. What do you drink where you're from, besides cold ale?" She comes up to the bar, leaning on it a little; she's tall enough it's easy for her to do so.

Her quick assessment is that his injuries are nothing worth mentioning. She's seen and had much worse, and he seems to be in his normal humor.

[location | Caritas]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

"Well, I tend to stick to hard liquor for the most part. Whiskey or bourbon. I'm pretty fond of Johnny Walker, black. But if you're asking what most people in LA drink? Probably champagne or fruity cocktails."

He smirks at her and pulls over a bowl of corn chips for her to nibble on while she makes up her mind.

"It really depends on what kind of taste-buds you have."

[location | Caritas]

[ironshodboots]

She raises her eyebrows at the corn chips, but tries one thoughtfully. "Frankly, by name alone, Johnny Walker, black sounds much more promising than 'fruity cocktails.'" She smiles, lazily but curious. "But what would you guess, for my particular taste-buds?"

[location | Caritas]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

Casey assesses her for a moment, cocking his head to the side.

"I think you'd probably like Johnny Walker on the rocks. but...I don't know, maybe you're more of a shots kinda gal. Like the rush of the initial quick hit, then the warmth spreading slowly through you, and then before you know it the alcohol's crept up behind you and smacked you in the head with a tire iron."

[location | Caritas]

[ironshodboots]

"Mm." She takes a slow bite of a chip, considering, then says, "A quick rush and an ambush can be fun, sometimes, but I find that nine times of ten that rushing a good thing doesn't get me where I wish to go. There's something to be said for anticipation, after all, don't you think?" She lips the salt off her lips, not rushed but not exaggerated.

Her grin is a little wicked. The flirt's genuine enough, but she also expects him to realize that she's laying it on a bit thick in response to the tack he chose to take.

[location | Caritas]

[bigbad]

It doesn't take Spike very long to get to Caritas. He crashes through the doors, breathing hard like one would had they just run from Castle Summers to Caritas. Then he remembers he doesn't actually have to breathe and calmly walks to the bar.

"Heard my coat was here," he says.

[location | Caritas]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

"You must be Sprite."

Yes, he's totally in the mood for some sarcastic quips tonight. He's in the middle of making a couple of martinis, which he continues to do while he's talking to the vampire.

"Does it have a name?"

[location | Caritas]

[bigbad]

Unfortunately, Spike is in less of a joking mood. Give him some alcohol, it'll help.

"Spike," he says. "It's called my duster, could I have it back now?"

[location | Caritas]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

"Sure, you can have it back just as soon as I finish pouring these two drinks for table eight."

He's at the shaking stage, it's gonna take two minutes tops.

"I guess, just the way you're acting, it's like I stole your girl."

[location | Caritas]

[bigbad]

Spike sits at the bar, waiting impatiently. "I'd be much worse if I thought you'd stole my girl." He gives a sharp little grin. Not that he's done anything to Kirk, but Kirk didn't steal Buffy. Spike lost her, and Kirk picked her up. "I've had that coat for a very long time, and it means a lot to me, all right?"

[location | Caritas]

[notabuymoron.livejournal.com]

"So you've got one, then. Good for you." He pours the drinks and sets them on a tray and delivers them. Once he gets back, he reaches under the counter and grabs the coat, holding it out for Spike.

"Actually, I do kinda understand. I'm the same way about my car. She's a 1985 Ford Crown Victoria. Sleek, black, beautiful. GPS tracking...The prisoner containment area was re-upholstered. And now she's gone."

He gets a dark look on his face and the swizel stick in his hand snaps suddenly.

[location | Caritas]

[bigbad]

"...sounds like a nice car, mate." He doesn't bother correcting Casey on the girl thing. It's not important.

Spike takes the coat and slips it over his shoulders, visibly relaxing. "That's better. Didn't like leaving it. How's the girl, by the way? Did you get her out of there? Felt bloody awful leaving her there like that."