A/N: Back to the present…sort of. I have this vision of fun tricks that the bartenders like to do to impress the crowd, as do most bars. I've been to a couple in my life so far and for some reason the drink seems to taste better when it's made with some flair! I hope your enjoying this adventure with me, I know I'm having a blast writing it (and I haven't even got to the dancers in cages yet, heh heh heh!)
The drinks mentioned in this chapter do in fact exist (as I've sampled a few) but I don't own the rights to any of the products used to make them.
I must state, once again that I do not own the rights to any of the KH or FF characters. Just the OC's that are based off my brood. Enjoy!
Chapter 10: With a Little Flair
Mid-June – The Try-Outs
Willow and Emily looked around with pride as the chairs around the front area of the bar slowly began to fill with many curious faces. They were both standing behind the bar and pulling various bottles in weight and sizes from under one of the bins beneath the hard shiny surface.
"This isn't really filled with alcohol?" Emily asked with a whisper as she pulled another rum bottle from the placed bin.
Willow shook her head once "No, I saved some of the empties for a couple weeks and filled them with water. I don't want them using booze until the second try-out" she said as she placed a few metal shakers on the bar. "Plus, I stored lots of spare towels in the lower drawer"
"Smart thinking" Emily nodded as she looked to the drawer right quick.
Willow looked up and noticed that no one new seemed to be coming in. "You got the rest of this?" she asked Emily as she wiped her hands down the front of her pants. She watched as Emily nodded a few times and winked at her before she mouthed 'good luck' and watched Willow start to walk to the far side of the bar.
As she moved around the stand at the front of the area when her guests were seated, she hit a few switches on the underside of the bar. A series of different colored lights danced above the heads of the people sitting down and she watched as they raised their faces to stare at the display. Willow made sure the light in the center of the bar was on, just a simple bright white light…almost like a spotlight she thought as she walked towards the waiting crowd.
The light chatter died down as she approached them and was very glad to see that she didn't have to clear her throat to silence them and get their attention. Instead she raised a hand confidently and waved in a happy greeting.
"Good morning" Willow said cheerfully as she stopped in the center right in front of the bar. There were various voices that greeted her back with a 'morning' as well.
"Now, just to quickly clarify, is everyone here for the bar or floor try-outs? Because the dancers are later" Willow waited a moment as everyone kind of glanced around at each other. She watched as a hand flew up into the air suddenly, that of a young woman with shoulder length brown hair and soft brown eyes. "Yes?" she asked as she pointed to the woman.
"What if you're trying out for both bar or dancer?" the young woman asked.
"Oh" Willow nodded. "Well, then it's a good thing you showed up this early"
She heard a series of a small giggles and saw a few smiles.
Continuing, Willow glanced over her shoulder and saw Emily give her a thumbs-up. That was her signal.
"Okay" she said clapping her hands together once. "First and foremost I want to thank all of you for submitting your applications and welcome you to the Neon Butterfly. As I stated in the forms, I have limited spots for both bar and floor, but I'm still honored that you considered our establishment for employment." Willow saw that she had the attention of every pair of eyes in the room. "Now, is there anyone here not familiar with how to run a bar?"
She waited a second and didn't see anyone raise a hand or speak out.
"Good" she nodded with a smile and continued. "So as you all should know, the ads specified that this would be a try-out. What do I mean by that? Well rather than boringly explain, I'll show you"
Turning her back to the crowd she put a hand in the air, signaling Emily to toss her a couple of bottles. One at a time Emily carefully tossed a full glass bottle of liquor from the actual bar towards Willow who easily caught all three of them and tucked two into her elbow. She could hear the slight gasps and happy chatter behind her as they watched the display.
Willow turned back around now holding the full bottles with spout toppers on them. She heard a few people clap and smiled as she mimicked a bow. "Why thank you!" she called out "But that's only the beginning" she moved the bottles into place and slowly began to toss them into the air until there was the beginning of a simple juggling pattern. "Ready?" Willow asked with a grin on her face.
She easily tossed them around her head before flipping one behind her back and catching it, then repeating the flow a few more times. Small bits of liquid sloshed from the tops, but the speed was too fast to make them spill. "Ha" Willow gleefully cheered as she lifted one of her legs and tossed a bottle under her knee before catching it. She heard a few claps.
"And the finale" Willow said looking up to watch the spinning glass. She tucked a hand behind her back and began to juggle all three with one hand. They circled a few times before she pulled her other hand forward and swiftly caught the bottles. Willow took another quick bow as she heard a round of applause from her small audience.
"Thank you, thank you" She set the bottles on one of the tables nearest to her before continuing to talk. "Now, of course we're not looking for any super fancy tricks like that, but it helps to have a little flair"
Willow watched as Emily came out from behind the bar and picked up the three bottles she'd set on the table. "For those of you not already aware, I'm Willow" she placed a hand on her chest "And that's Emily" she pointed as her best friend moved past her.
"Hello" Emily turned and waved with her empty arm.
"We will be your employers, should you pass your audition" She held her arms out to the crowd. "Well enough talk, who's ready to start?" Willow asked with a smile. Several heads nodded and smiled back.
"We ask that you bring your file with you as you step behind the bar" Emily called out placing the full bottles back on the lit glass shelf. "If you're trying out for floor, please bare with us and we will direct you to the proper area" she called out as Willow stepped up next to her and checked over the area making sure the supplies were spaced out and set up properly. "We were supposed to have another employee for the training, but she called in with a stomach bug this morning"
Knowing that she was referring to their friend Rayna, Willow nodded once. "Alright then" she looked up with a smile. "Can we have two at a time? One over here…" she pointed next to herself
"And one over here" Emily pointed next to her other side.
Willow watched as a few people rose from their seats and used her hands to beckon them to her. "We encourage you to come closer and watch. Listen to our tips and know that we're here to help you with any questions" She felt as Emily tapped her arm with a wooden clipboard and she reached her hand out to grab it.
They watched the barstools get pulled out and sat on as a few brave souls made their way around the counter and towards them. Willow noticed that the blonde she'd seen Roxas talking with earlier was still sitting at a table talking closely with her friend and figured that she must be here for the floor spots.
"Is this where we do the try-outs?"
Willow turned around and recognized the voice as the young woman whom she had spoken with a few minutes before.
"Yes" she nodded once and took the folder from the woman as she held it out and clipped it onto her board.
"I'm Cissnei" the young woman offered a hand and smiled. Willow shook her hand and gestured to the station where everything was set up. "What exactly do we have to do?" she asked a little nervously.
"Well" Willow moved to step aside "We will have anyone who passes the first exercise answer a series of questions based on bar lingo and cocktails, but that's more of a group discussion so everyone can pick up on pointers. Right now, we just want to see what kind of skills you can show to keep the customers entertained." Willow tossed a couple ice cubes into a silver tumbler and handed it to the girl. "Now, have you been in here and seen a show before?" she asked
"Oh yes!" Cissnei bobbed her head a few times with a smile as her hand reached out and took the silver shaker from Willow. "My friends and I stop in every now and then when we have a break from campus. I love the shows!"
"You go to the Academy?" Willow asked and watched the girl reach for one of the bottles and start to pour a little clear liquid into the bottom of the tumbler.
"Yeah" Cissnei nodded "I'm a Turk. I love that so many of the workers here are military based"
"Well then, good luck my friend" Willow smiled and moved to watch as the girl picked up the tumbler and shook it a few times.
The tricks were simple, but the fluidity of her movements made Willow watch with wonder. Cissnei could flip a bottle around her hand and slide a glass over in the same movement to easily pour it from a higher distance. Willow made a few notes on her clipboard and glanced over to see that Emily was consoling a young girl whom had dropped a bottle on the floor, the sound of glass ringing around them. Cissnei never missed a beat as she filled a line of shot glasses before setting her bottle down and glancing over her shoulder at the two of them picking up the larger of the pieces.
"Uh oh" she said softly towards Willow.
"That's why we say no open-toed shoes behind the bar" Willow made it a point to say loud enough for everyone around them to hear. "Because accidents do happen" she nodded reassuringly at the young girl and watched as Emily placed a hand on her shoulder and said something softly to her.
"How'd I do?"
Willow looked up to see Cissnei smiling with her hands crossed in front of her. "That was amazing. Great skill" Willow nodded as she reached over to the side of the bar and ripped a small square of bright purple paper from the counter. She jotted down a quick note and used one hand to fold it in half before handing it to Cissnei. "Now, no peeking" she winked at the brunette and watched as she grinned and took the note from her hand.
"Thank you" Cissnei said and turned away from Willow, with almost a skipping walk she made her way back to the other side of the bar to sit and watch the rest of the try-outs.
Willow wrote a few more notes on the file she was still holding and stepped over to place it into a small blue bin under the lip of the bar.
"Ready for me?"
Willow turned and smiled as Roxas held out his file to her. "Wow Roxas, strange play on words" she said under her breath and winked at him as she opened his file and placed it on her clipboard. "You sure you're a virgin?"
"Ha ha, pervert" Roxas chuckled with a smile.
"C'mon" Willow stepped to the side to make room for him and watched as Emily chatted with a girl with dark black hair and eyes a light shade of amber.
Feeling much better with caffeine in her veins and a few of her close friends surrounding her, Willow was more ready for this long day then she had anticipated. She watched as Roxas made his way around the station of supplies and quickly went to work at setting things where he needed them.
He flipped up several shot glasses and caught them easily to set them along a tight line, before he'd flip a bottle behind his back and pour in one fluent line never spilling a drop.
Willow was a little awestruck as she watched him toss a few ice cubes into the air and catch each in the metal tumbler, the clink of the cubes sounding out in a happy rhythm as they hit the bottom.
More spinning bottles and he was pouring the clear liquid into the silver cup before he'd give it a few shakes and swing his arm behind his back to pour into the waiting rock glass.
Roxas placed the tumbler down and slid the water towards Willow "We can pretend that's an Ocean Breeze" he smiled and watched as she just stared a little open mouthed and shook her head back and forth.
"What?" he shrugged his shoulders causally.
Willow pointed a finger between the glasses and Roxas "Where did you…?"
"I had to put myself through school somehow" Roxas said with a smile. "I guess I just have a natural talent, and I'm a fast learner"
"Oh my Goddess, Roxas!" Willow said with a huge grin "I had no idea!"
Roxas smiled back at her "Yeah, well I'm a little out of practice" he said twirling a bottle around his arm.
"That was brilliant!" Willow had snatched another piece of paper from the small notepad on the bar and was quickly scribbling something across it. "I can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve" she smiled as she handed the slip to Roxas.
Roxas grinned as he reached out to take the slip of bright paper "No peeking?" he asked with a wink, before turning to walk past Willow. He watched her write something in his file as she shook her head and laughed softly.
Emily was handing a similar piece of paper to the girl she'd been talking to as Willow gave her a thumbs-up and waited for her next file to be handed to her.
The morning seemed to fly by; maybe it was because of all the fun that everyone seemed to be having. Or the fact that out of all the applicants only a few had accidently dropped a bottle or two. There was a couple of mishaps with a rock or shot glass and Willow knew that behind the bar would need a throe sweeping and mop before the dance auditions later that night.
"How ya holding up?" Emily leaned in and asked as she grabbed another water filled bottle from under the bar.
"I'm doing good" Willow said with a nod as the last of the applicants handed her their file. "Getting a little hungry though"
"Should we order pizza?" Emily asked, quirking an eyebrow towards her best friend.
"Sounds like a plan to me. We can all eat after we start pouring the alcohol" Willow turned and smiled as she watched the girl in front of her nervously reach for a few shot glasses.
"That should be the fun part!" Emily cheered and turned for a high five. After Willow slapped across her hand, she strolled back over to her waiting applicant and handed the young man one of the bottles she was carrying. Willow turned and nodded to signal the girl she was watching to go ahead and start, her stomach giving a soft growl of hunger.
~xo~
It was later than she thought it'd be when she finally placed the last folder in the blue bin and pushed it under the lip of the bar. She watched Emily move around and place empty tumblers, glasses and bottles into the sink, being careful not to step on any of the broken pieces on the floor.
"Want me to place the order as soon as I'm done here?" Emily asked as she reached over and grabbed a large wooden handle broom.
"Yeah." Willow nodded "Get a salad and a few 2-liters as well"
"And breadsticks?" Emily asked with a smile
"Of course" Willow smiled back before she moved to step around the front of the bar and towards the small waiting crowd that had moved to sit around tables. She was glad to see that although a few of the applicants had grown impatient and left, there was still a good handful that was waiting for their turn.
"Alright. First of all, thank you so much for sticking through with us. As we stated, we should've had one other person here this morning, but she has a stomach bug. Otherwise we'd be nearly finished." She watched as a small group of faces smiled up at her and nodded. "But, this has actually given us a little bit of an opportunity to test your motor skills."
She held up a finger and headed over to the side wall that led to where the back offices and dressing rooms were. After turning her head and doing a quick count, she grabbed a stack of bright neon trays in an assortment of colors and headed back towards the group.
"Can each of you trying out for the floor position please come a grab a tray?" Willow asked as she held the stack in her outstretched arms.
There was less for this spot, but still a good number of people that rose from their seats to walk up and take a tray. Willow nodded with a smile to each of them.
"Now, if you would please stand over here." She pointed to a spot next to the bar and waited for a signal from Emily as she moved to place the remaining trays she was still holding with the rest of the stack. Emily waved her hand a few times before slipping from behind the bar and quickly going into one of the back offices.
"Alright. So instead of telling me what your skills are, we're gonna put you on the spot" Willow said as she moved back towards the waiting group. "As for the rest of you…" she motioned for the others to come forwards "You've passed the first round of auditions, congratulations" She waited as everyone chatted happily and she clapped their hands a few times. "This is where that little note comes in" she smiled and held a hand out towards Cissnei.
After the piece of paper was placed in her fingers, Willow motioned for the girl to follow her behind the bar. "Now, I understand that all the bars in town are set up differently, but they all operate on the same basics"
She moved her hands around and began to explain where all the ingredients and tools could be found behind the bar. Willow waited as everyone nodded once before she'd continue.
"Now, for the fun part" she said loudly and started to open the small slip of paper. "As you well know, every guest is different and some ask for some special drinks. These are a few that I've come across in my time. Your job will be to tell me what's used to make it, and then to do so"
Willow looked over at Cissnei and watched the young Turk nod once. "If you have questions, you can ask me. Sometimes the guest will tell you what they think is in the drink if you're unsure. From there you will place the order on the bar" she placed her hand on the main spot in front of her "Where one of you, shall proceed to pick up the drink and take it to the appropriate table"
Willow watched as the small group looked around to where she was talking about.
"That would be wherever I am seated" Emily said loudly as she came out waving her hand. The sounds of classic rock were now floating around the club as she made her way to one of the tables.
"Now you don't have any particular order, but please see to it that each of you does at least one round before repeating." Willow watched as everyone nodded and then turned to the young Turk. "You ready Cissnei?" she asked with a smile as she held the paper in front of her.
With a confident nod from Cissnei, Willow first read out-loud what was on the paper before turning it to the crowd and showing them and then asking Cissnei what it consisted of.
"A Snap Dragon" Cissnei repeated the drink out-loud. "That's got Crown Royal, amaretto, cranberry juice and orange juice" she paused and watched as Willow nodded with a smile.
"Very good. Now" she stepped aside and let Cissnei move around the bar area freely, finding the ingredients she needed and start layering them into a rock glass. After she finished and Willow nodded in approval, she smiled and set the drink up on the bar.
It was a young brunette that stepped up with a tray first and offered to take the drink. She handed Willow her file over the bar before reaching for the drink.
"Thank you, Aerith" Willow said as she looked down at the open file and smiled back at the young woman. "Good luck"
"Thank you" Aerith said in a sweet voice as she placed the mixed drink on a bright pink tray before turning to head towards Emily waiting near the stage.
"Okay, great job Cissnei. Next?" Willow called out.
"I have a concern"
Willow looked up to see Emily shouting from where she sat
"Yeah, Em?" Willow asked as the dark haired girl Emily had auditioned stepped up and handed her the slip of paper she was holding.
"Do I really have to drink all these? I mean, it's not even quite noon yet"
There was a ringing of laughter as Willow shook her head at her best friend. "Just taste them I guess"
"I can help"
All the eyes in the room moved towards the front doors and watched as another person entered the bar. His dark hair pulled back into a ponytail and his car keys jingling noisily at his side. Willow smiled as Aerith set her drink in front of Emily and she was thanked.
"This is Khaos Zaspar, the director…"
Willow was cut off as Khaos rushed into the spotlight "She means the King of Dance!" he proclaimed and spun in a circle.
Everyone chuckled as Willow rolled her eyes. "Yeah, that. You guys can rotate your drinks" she said as Khaos made his way to one of the tables. "Alright Analeigh, ready?" she asked the amber eyed girl standing next to her. Your drink is…" Willow unfolded the paper to read Emily's handwriting "A Chocolate Covered Cherry" she held the paper up for everyone to see.
"Okay, so that's got Kahula, Baileys Irish Cream and grenadine" Analeigh listed off on her fingers.
"Correct" Willow said and watched as the girl whirled around and reached for a martini glass and under the counter.
She pulled out a small bowl containing cocoa powder and after dipping the edge of the glass into a little chocolate syrup, carefully dipped it into the cocoa mixture. She set the glass down and began to grab her cream liquors, placing a spoon over the top so she could layer the drink into the glass. She dropped a stemmed maraschino cherry into the drink and looked up to see Willow smiling.
"Looks yummy" Willow said
"Uh, that one was a special request" Emily called from where she had moved to a closer table.
With a few more laughs, they watched a young man step forward and hand his file up to Willow. "I'm Kory" he said with a smile before picking up the drink and placing it on his orange tray.
"Thanks" Willow nodded and wrote a few notes on his file.
He made his way easily over to Emily, placing the cocktail down in front of her with a smile. Willow couldn't help but notice that he seemed to be the only guy trying for a floor position.
"Next?" she called out and smiled as Roxas stepped up and handed her his slip of paper. "Nervous?" she asked in a whisper
"Nah" Roxas shook his head once
"Hey! I want that cute blonde one to give me a Blow Job!" Khaos called out from where he was sitting.
"Not funny K" Willow called out and watched Roxas cup his face in his hands.
"I'm just messing with you Roxy" he called out
"Yeah, yeah, yeah" Roxas waved a hand and made sure to keep his focus on Willow and ignore his roommate. "Please tell me that's not really what you wrote down?" he asked under his breath.
Willow laughed light and shook her head. "Relax Roxas. You're going to be making…" she smiled and unfolded the paper "A Flying Grasshopper" she shouted and watched Roxas nod with a smile.
"It's got green crème de menthe, white crème de cacao and vodka"
"Yup" Willow smiled and stepped over, placing the slip of paper on the counter with the rest.
Roxas set to work, grabbing a cordial glass and a metal shaker. He filled it with ice and placed it on the bar before turning and grabbing the cream liquors and vodka from the bar. A few fancy flips of the bottles and he had all eyes on the room on him. He poured the correct amount in the shaker before placing the lid on and shaking it vigorously. After which, he poured it into the glass and set it before him on the bar.
"Very good. That was fun to watch" Willow nodded as she saw the pretty blonde from this morning move forward and reach for the drink.
"I'm Namine" she said in a soft voice as she handed Willow her file. Willow nodded once and noted the soft blush around Roxas' ears as she smiled at him. As Namine made her way towards Khaos' table, Willow hip bumped Roxas and winked at him. She watched as he shook his head a few times with a laugh as he made his way around the bar and past the next applicant.
After watching the mixing of a Tequila Sunrise, Tokyo Tea and a few more cream based shots, Emily was starting to fill the effects of mixed cocktails in her system. She had never been more grateful to see the bar empty out as Willow thanked the last few people and held the door open for them to leave. To her relief, she saw Willow carrying back two large pizza boxes with a white container of salad and bag of breadsticks in one hand and a bag with a couple 2-liters in the other.
"Food's here" Willow called out as she headed towards the table where Emily was sitting with Khaos and Roxas.
"So, what'd I tell ya about our Roxy here?" Khaos asked as he ruffled the young blonde's hair.
"You didn't tell us anything" Willow snorted as she handed the soda to Emily and set the pizzas down on the table.
"Yeah, thanks a lot Khaos" Roxas scoffed as he attempted to smooth his hair back down.
"Oh? I thought I said he had experience" Khaos said as Emily handed him a paper plate.
Roxas rolled his eyes at Khaos and watched as Willow opened a bottle of clear soda.
"Never mind that" Willow grinned as she poured soda into four glasses on the table. "He more than proved his worth today" she said as she handed a cup to each of the guys and watched Emily reach out to grab the other.
"That was really great Roxas" Emily grinned.
Roxas couldn't help but smile at his circle of friends.
"To Roxas" Willow said holding up her glass and watched as everyone mirrored her "On his future as a bartender here at the Neon Butterfly. Good luck and welcome to the crazy house" she smiled as her co-workers 'here here'd' and they all clanked their glasses together.
"So I really got the job?" Roxas asked.
"Hells yeah" Khaos said
"Most defiantly" Emily grinned
"You earned it" Willow smiled
Roxas watched as they all tipped their glasses back and took a drink before moving around and piling food on their plates, than sitting back down and talking with smiles on their faces. He couldn't help the warmth that he felt in his heart from being surrounded by such a loving family.