HERE WE GO! I feel like I could have put in a lot more dirty jokes in here, but as a sort of introductory chapter... well, just wait until next time. It'll be awful!
You guys are awesome!
Now, curious reader... I love the suggestions, and will definitely take them into account! I have no idea where I'm going yet, especially they are basically one-shots with a little sub-plot going in that I probably make entirely to obvious. But, yeah, I imagine the bar quite similar to God's bar, though not necessarily with less booths. More tables, definitely. It is a popular place after all. Just about any dark dive-ish bar will have booths along the wall in some shape or another, so that's just how I see it... Large round booth in the back corner for stereotype reasons, and booths along the wall, and regular tables between there and the bar itself... Maybe I should edit the first chapter for a better description...
Although, karaoke with Gabe, sounds like a pretty solid idea either way I go. I really like Joss Whedon's philosophy on writing. "Make it dark, make it grim, make it tough, but then, for the love of God, tell a joke."
Anyway, hope you enjoy the typical antics of feathers!
The bar had changed considerably since its doors first opened, but it still had that dark cozy feel to it. The meadow, though, was way different. It was pleasant and peaceful, yes, but it felt so staged to The Keeper. It felt a little better once she put an element of time to it, allowing for seasons, daylight, and natural growth.
Her sister was always better with nature-related things. The Keeper was truly just a keeper of peace. One that couldn't move between the planes easily.
She frowned at the thought of her sister and scrubbed angrily at a spill.
"You're gonna destroy the lacquer doing that, Sugar."
Annoyed, she looked up to see dark golden eyes. She narrowed hers. He was purposefully hiding his aura, causing her suspicion to rise. "It's enchanted teakwood. It's fine."
He raised his hands defensively. "Alright, alright, just lightening the mood."
She saw a shimmer in him and realization struck her.
Seeing this, he jumped in. "The name's Loki."
Ace scoffed and set the towel down. "Yeah, whatever."
"So, what's a guy gotta do to get a drink around here?" He leaned over the counter.
She rolled her eyes. "First, no business," she warned, "and second-"
"Oh, Sugar, I never do business. I am a strictly pleasure kinda guy."
The keeper scowled at him. "Second," she continued, "You have to tell me what you want to drink because I'm not going to read your mind."
He chuckled. "That's right. Grounds of neutrality and all that jazz. Been a long time, Keeper. Say, where's your gorgeous sister?"
"That topic is off limits. Black card."
He frowned briefly. "Wait. You watch television?"
She shrugged again. "The eighties and nineties were a bit slow. What do you want to drink?"
"How about a purple nurple?"
Ace made a face of disgust. "If you were anything else, I'd probably tell you where to shove it." She turned to make a drink. Loki's eyes remained on her.
"You can," he offered, grinning. "As long as you're doing the shoving."
She whipped around. "You really don't want me to do the shoving, Feathers. You won't like the result."
"Sugar, I've got the feeling we are having two very different conversations." He leaned back, smirking as she finished his shot.
"There was only one there as far as I'm concerned." She set the shot glass down.
"Aw, come on, when's the last time you let loose?" He paused, taking his drink in hand. "Have you ever let loose? Done the do?"
"What are you, five?" she retorted. "The word you are looking for is 'sex'. You know damn well I'm no saint."
He threw back his shot and the liquid nearly spurt out of his nose as he snorted. "Of course, you're not a saint. You'd have to be human for that." He set the glass down and coughed. "Really, it's been that long?"
"I don't know how you would know, Loki, you weren't even a speck in the universe around that time." She crossed her arms with a glare.
"I hear things," he lied.
The Keeper opted to ignore him to go make a round of cleaning up empty glasses and filling new ones.
"Come on, Sugar, don't ignore me," he whined when she got back behind the bar.
"You're so clingy," she replied dryly.
He groaned. "Fine, I get it. You don't love me."
Ace just stared blankly.
He hung his head briefly before suddenly perking up. "I gotta go, Sugar. Thanks for the drink. I've got some hunters to torture."
Rolling her eyes, Ace took the glass. "Goodbye Loki."
He slid her some cash and bounded out the door.
"Tricksters, right?" Ace turned her head to see Fae standing by the counter with a fresh drink for a customer in hand.
The Keeper gave a sort of knowing smile. "Yeah, tricksters." She shook her head. "I'm taking a break. I'll be back in an hour. If it gets crazy, come get me." She slid into a hidden door that led to a small living room-type place. There was a couch, a television and a fully stocked mini-fridge. She flopped down on the couch and turned the TV on to watch an episode of one of the shows she found in the last fifty years.