daemon: wildd | text

[tangleofgarlands]

Hullo, everyone. It's been a while--I meant to do this earlier, but didn't get round to it. My apologies. Without further ado, a press release of sorts:

The weather is miserable, but it's warm and dry inside at Mandy's Masquerade. Featuring the vivacious and charismatic Mandy Slade as mistress of ceremonies, we're located centrally and accept varied payment--but shelter is free. If the lights are on, we're there; pop in for a pint and some conversation today.

Comments

daemon: anned

[lacquers]

In this weather, it sounds like the words 'warm' and 'dry' might have people running your way! I haven't been by to visit, but I hope you find you have enough space for all those rainy day refuge-seekers.

[tangleofgarlands]

I hope so. It's what we're here for.

I don't think we can fit everyone at once, but I doubt we're the only building with a roof so I don't imagine it'll be a problem. Might be a bit cosy, though, if the weather keeps on like this.

[lacquers]

It doesn't sound like such a bad place to be cozy! I'd like to visit, rain or no rain.

Now, you made the announcement, so does that mean you're in charge of PR? [ This is perhaps sort of a roundabout way of asking what Arthur does at Mandy's. ]

[tangleofgarlands]

You should come by. You can have a beer on me, if you like.

As for your question, no. Mandy's much better with people than I am, generally--I just volunteered to do the write-up. Mostly I tend the bar.

[lacquers]

I'll come as soon as I can, how's that? I can hardly turn down such a generous offer!

Besides, I confess I'm curious to see the place.

Bartending requires a certain type of skill with people, doesn't it?

[tangleofgarlands]

We've got enough, and I believe "the pleasure of your company" is officially listed in our accepted currency. It's worth a look, anyway. Mandy's got an excellent sense of style and she really knows how to put people at ease.

I've been told I'm a good listener, which I think is more suited to bartending than speaking in front of crowds. It's a type of skill with people, I suppose, but not the one you use to talk to a crowd.

I just like to write.

[lacquers]

That's a very good form of currency. Especially in an environment like this, I'd imagine. We're all a little out of our element and somewhere comfortable that's also safe? I can see a place like that being very valuable here.

You're right about listening being a skill suited to bartending, I think. You'd want to be able to trust the person serving you a drink, right? It helps if you can feel like you're able to tell them what's on your mind.

What is it you write, if it's all right to ask?

[tangleofgarlands]

people need somewhere safe to go even when the world isn't ending. I certainly did.

Thank you for the vote of confidence. It's not that I'm ungrateful,
I'm just never sure what to say when people compliment me.

As for what I usually write, it's mostly nonfiction. I'd like to work for a paper one day.

[lacquers]

To be sure! I know you'd be far from the only one. It's an admirable goal, to give people a place to let their hair down. So to speak.

I don't think you should have to say anything at all, if you'd rather not.

Oh? In what capacity? Investigative journalism or something else?

[tangleofgarlands]

Thank you. Mandy helped me in that respect a long time ago, so I'm not unhappy for a chance to pay it forward.

My passion's music but I can't sing, so I figured I'd write about music instead. Album reviews and that sort of thing.

[lacquers]

In that case, I wish you both the best of luck here! Now I'm even more determined to send some business your way. Actually, what would you think about a lot of business coming your way?

Ah! I see. That's a wonderful way to turn a passion for music into something you can share with the world.

[tangleofgarlands]

Thank you. I'll pass it on; I'm sure Mandy would be happy to hear it. Regarding sending business our way, I think that'd be fine, as long as we can still get people in the door.

[Instinctively, the compliment makes him want to deflect and back away--he's not sure how to mitigate that impulse, so instead, perhaps somewhat awkwardly, he simply ignores the last sentence.]

[lacquers]

You have my thanks! And as for business, what about hosting a party? Halloween is coming up and I have to confess, it's one of my favorites.

[ You can bet Magnus took note of that. Not because he wants to badger Arthur though, rather because he doesn't want to make him feel uncomfortable. He'll remember for the future to perhaps be a little more subtle.

Not that subtle is always his strong suit. ]

[tangleofgarlands]

A proper fancy dress party? Personally, I think it'd be brilliant, but I'd have to check with Ms. Slade first to make sure it's alright with her.


[Maybe the Mandy Arthur remembers from his magazines would have found it a delight, but he's not as sure about the Mandy he's become nervous, but fast friends with since her arrival--and there's always the chance that it'll remind her too much of a painful history.]

Is this the best way to contact you again once I've spoken with her?

[lacquers]

Of course! Do talk to her and let me know. I'd be happy to meet with you both, too. Whatever you'd like!

[tangleofgarlands]

If she says yes, you could come by early and have a look round the place if you like--get a feel for the space, see if it'll work for what you've got in mind.

[lacquers]

Excellent! I'm hoping to come by anyway, so that will work out splendidly. I'll look forward to seeing you before too long?

[tangleofgarlands]

Definitely.
Just ask for Arthur at the bar. It's just me and Mandy at the moment;
I'm not hard to miss. She fills out a frock much better than I do.


[There's a part of him that's envious of it, but he pushes it down under the justification that it's a useless emotion, serving only to make him feel ashamed of his masculinity and his desire to fuck with it.]

daemon: fridayd

[servomotor]

IS IT WEIRD IF I SHOW UP WEARING A MASK?

WITH A MOUTH HOLE FOR DRINKING.

[tangleofgarlands]

Ordinarily I wouldn't presume to speak for Mandy, but I'm quite certain we've both seen much weirder.

Wear whatever makes you comfortable.

[servomotor]

CONSIDERING WE'RE IN THE POST-APOCALYPTIC ERA OF A PLACE THAT PRETENDS CHOPPING VOWELS OUT IS COOL, YEAH, THE BAR FOR 'WEIRD' IS PRETTY HIGH.

WILL DO.

IS YOUR NEW BUSINESS NAMED AFTER SOME OLD PLACE, OR A NATIVE INVENTION?

[tangleofgarlands]

Even before we arrived here, we both lived through the glam rock scene in London. Although it's true I've seen weirder things since coming here, the bar was higher for me to begin with. The important bit is, neither of us is fussed over what anyone wears, really. Or doesn't wear.

You'd have to ask Mandy for specifics, but I'm fairly certain it's to do with both the alliteration of the words and the aesthetic of a masquerade. It's not her first time working as mistress of ceremonies somewhere, but I can't remember what the place was called.

[servomotor]

MORE EARTHLINGS. GOOD TO KNOW WE'RE STILL UNITED BY ALCOHOL.

I WILL BE DELIGHTED TO PATRONIZE YOUR GLAMOROUS HOMAGE TO FAIR BRITAIN.

DOES IT ALREADY FEEL LIKE HOME?

[tangleofgarlands]

I've yet to meet a bloke I couldn't get along with over a pint.
Well, maybe one or two, but nobody important.

It certainly feels more like home than home ever did, but that's not saying much.

[servomotor]

SOUNDS LIKE TRAGIC BACKSTORY, MY GOOD MAN. NO WONDER YOU'RE SELLING ALCOHOL.

[tangleofgarlands]

[Tragic backstory? Odd--Arthur's never thought of it that way, but now that he sees the words on the screen, there's a sort of resonance somewhere deep in him, in a place he typically keeps locked down and hidden.]

I'm alright now. Here especially, people don't seem to care much if you're different.

Honestly, I sell alcohol because a good friend of mine asked if I'd be her bartender.

[servomotor]

I MEAN COOL, FAIR ENOUGH
BUT IS YOUR FRIEND INVOLVED IN YOUR TRAGIC BACKSTORY?

[tangleofgarlands]

Er.
Sort of, but nothing that wouldn't have happened anyway.
She helped me figure out I'm gay.

[servomotor]

MAZEL TOV.
THAT'S A FAR MORE OPTIMISTIC STORY I GUESS

[tangleofgarlands]

in a sense I suppose
it wasn't much fun at the time but I'm alright now.
especially since I've learned that not everyone will think it's filthy and shameful.
At any rate. I know what it's like when people treat you like something fundamental to you is disgusting.