Finn Rider

Another day at The Snugly Duckling, another shift, another drink served. Lately Gothel seemed to have been scheduling him for double so he was seeing a lot of the regular crowd. Most were totally fine, but some would struggle to handle their 12 pint and often needed help out of the door.

At the minute the bar wasn’t too busy, a few tables filled and a soft twilight streaming in through the windows. He’d just finished putting away a tray of clean glasses when, like a sixth sense, he felt someone walk up to the bar. Without skipping a beat, he threw the towel over his shoulder and flashed a smile

“Now, what can I get you tonight?”

Barbie was supposed to meet a friend at The Snugly Duckling and they didn’t show up, so she skipped over to the bar and sat down tossing a few peanuts into her mouth and sighed placing her chin in her hand and looked around the bar, when she heard the voice of the bartender she glanced over and took in his demeanor “Well that’s the million dollar question isn’t it?” 

😈 - Your muse decides to play a trick on mine, what is the result?

🍬 - Your muse gifts mine a treat, what treat did they give?

🎭 - Your muse is showing off their Halloween costume, what did they decide to dress up as?

🧠 - Our muses get lost in the Mirror Maze together, what does yours do to help find a way out?

🦇 - A horror character performer just jumped out of nowhere! What does your muse do?

💀 - Your muse literally bumps into mine at a Halloween party, what does your muse think of mine?

🔮 - My muse offers to help yours to decorate, does your muse accept the offer?

It was Finn’s coffee break, and boy did he need one. As per usual The Snugly was understaffed so he was working a double shift. The cafe was packed - unsurprisingly so seats were short and he wasn’t bothered to walk all the way back to where the benches were by the rides with the screaming children. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a pretty brunette with her nose stuck in a book and an empty chair opposite her. Perfect. 

With a cool strut he glided over to the table “Excuse me,” he flashed her what he thought was one of his better smiles “I couldn’t help but notice you - and the spare seat - and was wondering if you could spare me your seat?” he tilted his head “If you’d like to lend me your number too, that would also be greatly appreciated”

Eyes flashing up to flick over the man interrupting her reading, Belle noted his handsome visage and nice smile, but his words drew a cocked eyebrow.  “The seat’s free,” she replied, turning her attention back down to the words on her next page.  “And I don’t have an issue with you using it.”  Cool golden hazel eyes shifted back up.  She had no illusions when it came to her looks.  Yes, she knew people found her pretty and attractive - that had been made patently obvious by both men and women any time she worked in public.  Few of them wanted to put in the work it took to get to know the person under the skin, so she grew used to brushing off any flirting.  It had become second nature by this point.  “But I doubt you could afford the effort it will take to get my number.”

“I know most numbers are a various combinations of the abarbic numeric system from 0 to 9” he grinned, knowing he sounded at least a little clever, recycling information he heard from an episode of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? “So that might be a good place to start” he watched her intently over his coffee with a cheeky grin “But then again, a room number has far less digest to remember”

At the minute the bar wasn’t too busy, a few tables filled and a soft twilight streaming in through the windows. He’d just finished putting away a tray of clean glasses when, like a sixth sense, he felt someone walk up to the bar. Without skipping a beat, he threw the towel over his shoulder and flashed a smile

“Now, what can I get you tonight?”

Sitting down and making himself at home while he returned the favor with a sly teasing grin, “Well aren’t you a charmer. I’m sure the ladies melt after you’ve graced them with your attention. I’d like a bloody mary, if you’d be so kind. Oh, and make her a virgin.”

“So let me guess, you’re an artist or your lover just dumped you?” He smirked as grinned the pepper into the non-alcoholic drink. “There’s gotta be a reason for the guy liner and that hair, mate” he placed the drink down in front of the other man “Or at least a story to that outfit” he chortled

Finn had made it a habit of his to get to know the other bars - especially The Underworld. Something about it was just so enjoyable to be around. He’d gotten his well earned drink after a long shift at The Snugly and was ready to sit down and relax. Mere moments after he’d taken his seat, he’d been greated by a brunette sitting firmly down on his lap - not that he was complaining. Only, she seemed just as surprised to see him too. That was unusual for the girls here to be shocked at the patrons.

It soon became clear that she was not a dancer - but she was definitely pretty enough to have been one. He threw on a charming smile and let out a gentle laugh “No harm done - in fact that’s one of the nicer greatings I’ve had tonight.” He scooted over to make room for her to join him. “The table might not be empty - but it doesn’s mean you can’t sit here, unless you’d prefer my lap again? Or perhaps the table?” he teased

         ALMOST JUMPING BACK up, Meg turned around to scowl at the man. “I think you may have had too much to drink,” she said quickly before realizing she should have played along a bit more. With that thought, she forced herself to relax slightly, glancing him over as she tried to determine how much of her time he was worth. Finally, she sat down next to him and leaned forward. “I’m not sure it would be very appropriate for me to sit on your lap while I’m working,” she told him with a wink.

With a flip of her hair over her shoulders, Meg took another sip of her drink. “Are you satisfied with the dancers, though?” she asked curiously as she gestured back up to them with her eyes. After all, they were the ones he should be more interested in.

He noted her drink, despite the fact that she was ‘working’. He cooly extended his arm to rest along the back of the couch, barely skimming her shoulders “So what is your work then? I’ve never know a lovely lady to drink on the job, at least none that required too much acrobatics - not that I’ve ever needed to pay for that type of pleasure.” He tilted his head towards her “What about yourself? Ever payed for the pleasure?”

Another day at The Snugly Duckling, another shift, another drink served. Lately Gothel seemed to have been scheduling him for double so he was seeing a lot of the regular crowd. Most were totally fine, but some would struggle to handle their 12 pint and often needed help out of the door.

At the minute the bar wasn’t too busy, a few tables filled and a soft twilight streaming in through the windows. He’d just finished putting away a tray of clean glasses when, like a sixth sense, he felt someone walk up to the bar. Without skipping a beat, he threw the towel over his shoulder and flashed a smile

“Now, what can I get you tonight?”

The day had been a long one for Elisa, her eyes were almost closing even as she walked into The Snugly Duckling. She was going to be meeting a friend there but as always she was earlier, much earlier. 

She made her way over to the bar, sitting down at it with her elbows resting on it, humming softly to herself. It was the sound of the bartenders voice that brought her out of the little day dream she was in. “Anything that will keep me awake or alert until my friend gets here.”

“Long day then, Goldie?” He grinned, grabbing an already clean glass and wiping it down to make it look as if he was being productive. One of his many skills. “You know, if you need a little jump start, there’s a lot of people around here who could offer you more than coffee to keep you going” he smirked “Unless you wanna attract that type, best stay alert” he turned and took the hot coffee, the alcohol and the cream, turning it all into a slick drink in a tall glass “For the frosty lady” he caught her eye and chuckled “Come now, I’ve had ice blocks give me a warmer greating”

He had next to no idea on how he wound up exploring the various stalls and food shops along The Pier. Perhaps it was because it was one of his only days off and he was still very interested in keeping a low profile and his head attached to his neck.

This was the third sweet-themed shop he had gone into, and while he didn’t particularly care for sweet things himself, he did have a taste for the lovely ladies that did. With a crystal clear laugh ringing through the shop, every gaze - including Finn’s - went immediately to the petite brunette it belonged to. He couldn’t help but grin at her delight “You offering to buy me a cone of that or should I do you the favour?”

☆ﾟ*·ﾟBLINKING, SAMMIE STARED at the man in front of her. He was beautiful, but she couldn’t bring herself to say any words. She wasn’t really very good at talking to beautiful men. Actually, she wasn’t very good at talking to men in general. How in the world did you even start doing that? All that was happening was her cheeks flushing, turning a bright strawberry color. But he knew what to say and how to talk. It made her jealous. Biting the corner of her lip, she chuckled awkwardly. “Oh, do you want a cone? I can… yeah, I can get you one or uhm… you can too. I don’t know,” she responded. 

Letting her face fall into her hand, Sammie knew she’d sounded like a complete idiot. What in the world was she going to do now? He’d tell everyone about her and she’d be the laughing stock of the entire pier. Her breath quickened as she stood there, hoping that he’d actually say something that would make her feel a little less like an idiot, a coward, and all those words you’d expect. Sammie was far too innocent and gentle for a place like this, but she knew that was exactly why she needed to be there. “Sorry. I’m not… I’m not good at talking to pretty guys,” she stated, her voice soft and gentle.

There was something endearing about how unnerved she seemed - almost like she’d never really seen a person of the opposite sex. He paid and got he change for the ice creams and casually placed his arm around her shoulders “You seem stressed, Apple” he winked - giving her a nickname with little thought to it. “Let me guess, you’re knew right? Never been in a place this big - so many people, they’re all new and scary?” He glanced down slyly at her and shrugged “If you’d like, I could show you the ropes”

At the minute the bar wasn’t too busy, a few tables filled and a soft twilight streaming in through the windows. He’d just finished putting away a tray of clean glasses when, like a sixth sense, he felt someone walk up to the bar. Without skipping a beat, he threw the towel over his shoulder and flashed a smile

“Now, what can I get you tonight?”

Running a calloused hand down his obviously tired face, that small five o’clock shadow creeping onto the lower half of his face. Blinking away the sleep he stared at the owner of the voice opposite him, no hint of a smile on his lips, no apology in his eyes, just stone-faced and cold. “Something strong. What do you recommend?” It was odd to be somewhere so much more lower-class warm than his club. There was a general mood to the place, all the wood and light made it feel much more like your everyday pub, somewhere that was faithfully good. He was suddenly grateful Meg had made him take off his normal suit jacket and tie, she’d even rolled his sleeves up and ruffled his hair. He thought it made him looked unkempt, but it seemed to fit in here.

Maybe a little break wouldn't hurt? Or perhaps someone around the Pier could give her a second opinion?

After ten more minutes of analyzing the sword, with one more sigh, Rayelle left the paint brush on the table, before washing her hands. She knew it was time for a snack whenever she hit a deadend in an artistic process. Not forgetting her previous ideas, she took a picture of her work and pocketed her phone. Who knows, maybe she'd find someone else from the Crafters team?

Painting a realistic sword shouldn’t be as difficult as this, why is it taking me so long? Rayelle sighed, looking at the new prop she was asked to make. She’d painted a few swords before and sure, this one wasn’t particularly ugly, but it lacked something so far. The metallic paint was in place, the handle was decent, but… something was still too plain in her opinion, except she couldn’t put her finger on what.

Maybe a little break wouldn’t hurt? Or perhaps someone around the Pier could give her a second opinion?

After ten more minutes of analyzing the sword, with one more sigh, Rayelle left the paint brush on the table, before washing her hands. She knew it was time for a snack whenever she hit a deadend in an artistic process. Not forgetting her previous ideas, she took a picture of her work and pocketed her phone. Who knows, maybe she’d find someone else from the Crafters team?

Fixing her hair a bit, she began to hunt down for a snack, taking a walk around the Pier.

Finn had just done a little bit of handy-work at one of the stalls at The Pier. He found himself missing his old ways and using his five-finger-discount a lot more than he had since he’d moved here. Besides, it would be hours before the vender realized someone had stolen a few sandwiches anyway.

He moved between the crowds with ease, letting the flow of people create a gap between him and the sandwich stall before finding a bench a good bit away to settle and enjoy his bounty. Before he’d even gotten one bite out of a his lunch, he couldn’t help but notice a brunette that he’d seen before.

She’s new.  He scraped his memory to see if a name was attached to the face of the girl, but nothing came to mind. These days there was a massive influx of new women working here - not that he was complaining. with a swift move, he grabbed the food and made his way to her with a smile already in place.

“Hey there - you’re the new girl right?” he talked to her in a warm tone, the kind you would to a friend “Wanna join me on the beach for a bit of lunch?”

Except she realized the gaze of the man followed her, as he spoke.

Confusion written all over her features, Rayelle turned around to check if the stranger was talking to someone else. He must be, everyone was always so busy to pay any attention to her. Which made the Pier absolutely perfect.

But nope. No one was standing behind her.

"Oh" she quietly mouthed, resisting the urge to play with her hair like she did whenever she was nervous. "I didn't realize- uh, yeah. I'm new here." Rayelle smiled at his kind tone, with slight surprise she might add. No one used that tone voice with her. It was... nice.

But wait, what did he ask her?!?

Why would anyone want to have lunch with her? And in the beach of all places. That's where you go with people you care about, and Rayelle didn't have particularly impressive qualities.

For a moment, her mother's words continued to ring in her head, but he wasn't some weirdo in the world, he was a... coworker, right? Common curtsey? It's not weird to talk to your coworkers... is it?

"The beach? Whoa, um, that's- Really? Lunch with me? Are you... are you sure?" She stuttered, before she could even stop herself.

“Thinking she must be standing in the way of the stranger’s conversation, Rayelle moved aside. It made her uncomfortable to make someone else uncomfortable. Except she realized the gaze of the man followed her, as he spoke.Confusion written all over her features, Rayelle turned around to check if the stranger was talking to someone else. He must be, everyone was always so busy to pay any attention to her. Which made the Pier absolutely perfect.But nope. No one was standing behind her.

“Oh” she quietly mouthed, resisting the urge to play with her hair like she did whenever she was nervous. “I didn’t realize- uh, yeah. I’m new here.” Rayelle smiled at his kind tone, with slight surprise she might add. No one used that tone voice with her. It was… nice.But wait, what did he ask her?!?Why would anyone want to have lunch with her? And in the beach of all places. That’s where you go with people you care about, and Rayelle didn’t have particularly impressive qualities.

For a moment, her mother’s words continued to ring in her head, but he wasn’t some weirdo in the world, he was a… coworker, right? Common curtsey? It’s not weird to talk to your coworkers… is it?“The beach? Whoa, um, that’s- Really? Lunch with me? Are you… are you sure?” She stuttered, before she could even stop herself. Although she knew he was a total stranger, Rayelle found herself hoping he wouldn’t notice the subtle tremor in her voice at such simple question.”

FLYNN’S REPLY 

The girl’s surprise was almost as amusing as her physicality. She turned around as if someone else was the point of contact - but no, she was indeed the intended participant. Finn stopped himself, barely, from laughing in her face and instead tried to turn on the charm. 

“Come now - you can’t be surprised that someone would want to spend time with someone as beautiful as you” he gave her a saucy wink “Now I could totally understand if you’d rather not have lunch with a total stranger - but we do work together, and once we have lunch, and maybe dinner, and then who knows” he raised his eyebrows and tilted his head “we wouldn’t be strangers anymore”