songerein | [Open Mingle] Entry 003

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[Open Mingle] Entry 003

Who: Kazuma Asogi, Soldier: 76, Susato Mikotoba and anyone else.
Which: Open mingle
Where: The Wild Harvest, located on the ground floor of Kazuma's home.
What: Soft opening for a small pub called the Wild Harvest.

A new pub has opened in Reverein, though the news is only being spread through word of mouth, or if people just happen by the place this month. Kazuma isn't exactly new to managing a pub, but he wanted to be sure he does it right this time. So he's keeping things small and simple, while the crew work out any issues that may come up during the month.

The place already has a much more welcoming feel to it compared to the Hydeout, like a quaint little neighborhood pub. Right next to the pub was a garden, part of it growing into the pub itself. There's a herb station setup if people want grab something else to add to their dishes, though at the moment, the selection is limited until they can grow more plants. There are garnish and spice noodle dragons also roaming about, and they will occasionally add a little extra to a customer's food or drink.

The menu itself is moderately simple, listing various eastern and western style street food dishes. There is also a note that reads: Can request something to be cooked off menu, as long as there are ingredients.

A sign has been put up near the entrance, listing the seasonal specials for the month.

Hot Chocolate (Alchoholic and Non)
Eggnog (Alchoholic and Non)
Cinnamon Apple Spice Tea
Meat Stew.
Roast Fowl.

Note: Meat will vary depending on what's available for the day.

Another can be found at the bar, this one being a "help wanted" sign. While Kazuma is satisfied having a crew he can trust, he could probably do with a full time bartender and bouncer. There are only three staffed at this pub right now. Kazuma is handling the front the best he can. He's not as conversive as his Hyde counterpart, but he'll try since he'll be the one most people will see. Occasionally 76 can be seen at the bar handling drinks, otherwise he'll be preparing the food along with Susato in the kitchen. A few times she'll peek out from the back to help clear tables, talking to the others during down time as she adjust to working a restaurant.

[This is basically an open mingle log for people to use the pub setting for whatever they like! Kazuma, Susato and/or 76 may also tag in, unless specified. Pub and garden area are open to the public.]

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[Tifa wishes they had the luxury of leaving some dreams alone, or that there was some mechanism to kick herself out of them when she happened to dreamwalk into them. There were a lot of things she wished others hadn't seen the way that they did, or things she felt she wasn't supposed to...

But not all of them were terrible.]

Mm-hmm. I did get to visit one place called Lindblum, a while back. That one wasn't too bad, but I guess it would all depend on the dreamer, huh?

[Tifa would never allow anyone to Gaia if she could help it. Least of all Midgar.]

Maybe one day, we'll find a way to do it. Those tapirs haven't exactly been the most helpful. Seems like something we could take advantage of, you know?

[ It sounds like something to work towards, at least, of which Susato is always a fan. She wonders if she'll ever have the honor of showing someone Japan, or Great Britain. What would the Japan or Great Britain of her dreams even look like...? Would she start to lose details, forget after a while...?

Nope. Not thinking about that. ]

It would be fascinating, I think. There are so many different cultures that have been brought together here. To be able to learn about them, to share information... it would be quite remarkable.

[ And it would almost make this place worth it... maybe. Almost. ]

I've never heard of Lindblum... Did you get to stay long?

Long enough that we could put on a live improv show on stage.

[For an audience of zero, of course, but it was how much fun they had with it that mattered. Tifa had never been up on a theatre stage like that one, so it was a first, and a memory she holds near and dear now. The dreamscapes can be fickle and sometimes scary, but good things can come out of them, too.

Tifa's expression turns whimsical.]

It was this big city high up in the sky, with a ton of airships and a castle that towered over it. With a business district, and a theatre district... If you ever meet Zidane, make sure you ask how he did it.

[ ...Immediately she's picturing the Crystal Tower, with hot air balloons flying all around it. Nothing like airships, and Great Britain certainly wasn't high in the sky, but she's enjoying letting her imagination wander.

Zidane. She'll remember the name. ]

That sounds impressive. I don't know that I could ever accomplish something like that. Were you nervous?

[ Maybe Tifa's an actress or something! ]

[Tifa's laugh is stifled by another enthusiastic bite of her food.

If only she were as skilled an actress as Zidane... or Jessie, who would be proud if she saw the kind of dramatic show they were able to put on. But she does tip her head thoughtfully.]

Is it strange that I was, even if there was no audience? It was more like a... rehearsal. But going up against a pro actor is a lot harder than I thought it'd be.

[ No audience? ...Well, that does change things, but not enough that Susato would change her mind about what she's said. She happily watches Tifa eat, sympathizing with what she says. ]

It is certainly difficult when it feels like everyone is leagues ahead of you, but I'd wager you picked things up quickly.

[ Tifa seems like the type... Susato smiles. ]

Maybe we could even have a show here, once we are more established. Even just music would bring quite a bit of life to the place, I think.

Doesn't even need to be a big show.

[There's something of a gleam in Tifa's eyes, an idea forming there before she can stop it.]

You'd be surprised by how many people like karaoke. Especially after they've had a few drinks. I used to have them every week back at Seventh Heaven, and it'd draw in all kinds of people. A lot who'd never come by on any other night.

[ Unfortunately, she lived before the time of karaoke. She does seem intrigued, though, as the word seems Japanese in origin, but otherwise there is little indicate she knows what Tifa is talking about.

Seventh Heaven, though--she'll tuck that away as the name of the bar where Tifa used to work. ]

That sounds so grand! It could attract a lot of business, too. [ . . . ] But h, how does it work, exactly?

[Tifa has to set her fork down for this, her eyes widening and brows arching with surprise. Karaoke is serious talk!]

Wait, you've never done karaoke before?

[Susato! Let her show you the way! Even though Tifa is too shy to do it herself without several drinks in her system and surrounded by only the closest of her friends, it was always fun to listen to others sing.]

It's basically a sing-along. You have the words for a song and get together with your friends or family and sing your heart out into a microphone. Even better if people are a couple drinks in.

[Not really what she would call grand, but it is a lot of fun.]

[ Susato looks a little embarrassed at not knowing, but since Tifa seems more excited at the idea rather than not, she just quietly accepts the look. She smiles, though it looks somewhat sad, feeling as though she's missing out on a lot. ]

How wonderful.

I don't know that Kazuma-sama would participate in such a thing, but I'm sure he would enjoy seeing his patrons have good time.

[ And then maybe he could be convinced-- ]

It's even fun just to sit back and watch. That's what I did.

[But she can see that flicker of sadness behind that smile, and her own warms.]

You'd join in too, yeah? I won't take no for an answer.

[Although her voice betrays that—it's gentle, soft, not at all prodding or pushing. She'd genuinely be glad to have Susato there, and to be there for her first time giving it a go.]

Huh?! W, Well...

[ This does not help her feel less embarrassed, but Tifa is so kind, and she doesn't want to disappoint her. She's never had a big sister before, though she's already getting that vibe, as she looks down at the table, its pattern suddenly very interesting. ]

I don't sing. [ Not...well...? ] Though I get the feeling that doesn't matter very much.

It doesn't.

[Tifa gives a fond laugh, breaking it up with a bite of her food.]

You have no idea how many guys I've heard try to sing to me back at Seventh Heaven on karaoke nights. Some were pretty good, but others weren't, but they sang anyway. Belted the songs sometimes that people could hear it blocks away.

[Her head tips as she examines Susato and the way she focuses on the table.]

What mattered was that they had fun, and bonded with their friends. I think it'll be good for morale around here. We could all use a little boost every now and then. And I bet you aren't as bad as you think. So let's see if we can convince Kazuma it's a good idea.

[ Susato has a good chuckle at the mental image, at least. It's not hard to imagine Tifa getting all that attention, but Susato is glad that she is too young for such things. (Because y'know, being underage totally stops pub crawlers, and doesn't encourage them at all.) ]

I can ask. Or perhaps we can ask together. I do wonder whether he had such things set up in his previous pub, but he has never mentioned it.

[ He doesn't talk about his Other Pub much, for reasons that won't become clear to Susato for some time. ]

I think we should ask together. Make him an offer he can't refuse.

[Harder to refuse when you've got two cute girls asking!

Although she has plenty of faith that Susato would be able to convince him all on her own. In the name of fun, and it would be good for the customers as well as employee morale and team-building!]

Not every place has the right mood for karaoke, but I think... stuff like that's important in a place like this.

[Where they're all a little lost and looking for a place to feel more at home. Maybe he had already found that? Or maybe it really was just that the mood wasn't right. Either way, she has confidence that the Wild Harvest could benefit from it in more ways than one.

Her excitement grows in her smile, and a little flower unknowingly blossoms on the plate... from the food???]

I'll see if I can get my hands on something anyway.

[ ~~He's gay, Tifa--~~

The image of them teaming up against Kazuma with puppy-dog eyes is hilarious though, she must admit. It might even work, for all the times she may or may not have used it to her advantage when they were little. He is a softie under the surface ~~when he's not being a complete assjack~~. ]

Please do. And allow me to help, if there is something I can do, too. Whatever makes this place something he can be proud of, he should have it.

[ He deserves it. ]

[And she's aggressively friendly.

It's a warm sentiment, one that buzzes in the air around them when Susato agrees. Tifa hasn't know Kazuma for very long, but the fact that he is trying hard to make this place better for all of them is telling enough of his character. Tifa wants to help turn this place into something that he can be proud of, too. A place he can look back on someday and say that he was happier than he imagined he would be with it.

So with that settled, Tifa finishes up her food.]

Once I find a way, or if I can find a machine around here that'll work, we'll bring it to him. Can't say no if we've already got it.

[Easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, or something. But no, she kids, and the mischief in her eyes says as much.]

Anyway, I should get going. And let you get back to work. Looks like things might be picking up around here soon.

[ Even before Tifa says it, Susato notices someone walk in out of the corner of her eye. Then it's a couple after that. Susato stands, noticing that Tifa has finished her food, and she prepares to clear the table. ]

Of course. I hope you'll be joining us soon.

[ Though with talk of the karaoke machine and how determined Tifa seems, it sounds like she's already made the decision to work here. ]

[Tifa helps to reorganize the dishes so that they're easier to carry, and rises to her feet as well, giving her hands a wipe on the napkins before she's facing Susato.]

I definitely will be seeing you around again soon. [Her eyes roam down to the dishes and her brow pinches sheepishly.] And if you guys ever need an extra hand in the kitchens, whether it's cleaning or cooking, you let me know.

[She feels a little bad about leaving the dishes like this, but Susato's already on top of it.]

Take care.

[And with a warm smile and a little wave, Tifa jogs back to where she might find Kazuma to discuss when she'll be taking her first shift!]

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[Open Mingle] Entry 003

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wrapping!! 🎀