The Copper Bell Hotel Casino (grand opening "ceremony")

[notmuch_23 2300]

On 9/21/2020 at 2:56 AM, danzilla3 said:

"Well... If you would be so kind as to show me to the bar, I would love to buy you a drink."

"Which one?" Aveline asks, "there's eight here."

There is a bar on each casino floor incorporating the service elevator bank (which the breaker boxes and plumbing manifolds are conveniently next to), which people can certainly sit, eat, and drink at, but 75% of the operations are for serving guests on that casino floor as they gamble. There is a cigar/pipe bar on the second floor (with more affordable cigars and loose tobacco, of course) which also serves the hotel guests' room service. There is a bar in the bowling alley, next to the chilled keg storage and glycol system utility room (to keep the beer cold on the long journeys to all the taps), and there is a bar across the atrium from the subway station.

 

"I don't need to buy drinks here either. Did you forget that I own this place with Thurgood?"

The crowd filters its way through the atriums into the casino and mall floors respectively, some to stay on that floor, most to the four banks of public elevators that don't require a room key to operate (but to get past the elevator lobby on floors three to fifty does require a room key), and the two sets of escalators that move between the casino and mall floors (with a longer one walled in at the first basement floor).  The hotel guests line up at the front desk where six people stand to check them into their rooms and issue room keys, with two more using temporary terminals.

Edited October 15, 2020 by notmuch_23

[danzilla3 5018]

"Ah... any of them, I guess..."

This was beginning to veer off in the sort of direction he feared it would when John had proposed this little outing. Glancing over at his friend on the stage, he found the Governor smiling down at him. Mal couldn't help but wonder if the man had heard what was said between him and Aveline. The thought that he had was one that profoundly annoyed him, but he didn't have time to dwell on it as Aveline followed up.

"I don't need to buy drinks here either. Did you forget that I own this place with Thurgood?"

"No, I haven't forgotten..."

Screw it. He had nothing to lose at this point by being a bit more direct.

"Aveline, I'm asking you if you would like to have a drink with me; not as guest and host, but as a man and a woman between whom there... might be some attraction."

Well, it was out there now.

[notmuch_23 2300]

A problem has been detected and NeurOS has been shut down to prevent damage to your body.

The problem seems to be caused by the file: romance.sys

Aveline_Debbie_Singlance.exe

Aveline has stopped thinking; she's stopped doing anything, really. The idea that somebody might be attracted to her just does not register clearly.

Thurgood and Aveline have always been... well... the others; like freaks, but not the ones people buy tickets to see. In their hometown, and everywhere else, people stare until one tries to make eye contact, then they look away. People talking tend to stop when Thurgood or Aveline get near, and the group moves elsewhere. Very few people initiate any conversation, and even those whose job it is to serve the general public don't deliver more than just enough service to these siblings to not get fired.

Yes, Thurgood can lead workers, but it's their job to follow. Outside of the job, they want nothing to do with him socially.

It's always been that way, and they've gotten rather used to it by now, and hold that treatment to be normal.

So the idea of somebody having any social interest with Aveline, much less romantic is a completely alien experience that warrants caution, and even suspicion.

Edited September 23, 2020 by notmuch_23

[danzilla3 5018]

The silence was deafening. 

Mal stood there waiting for a yes, or a no, or any kind of confirmation that Aveline had heard what he'd just said. If she had said yes he would have been happy. Even if she'd said no, at least he would have had a solid answer and could move on. This silent treatment was worse than either of those; as it left him with no idea whatsoever what she was thinking. He stood there for another minute before sighing and offering a polite smile.

"Have a good evening, Aveline."

[notmuch_23 2300]

Of course, Thurgood heard the whole thing.

"Uh, Av? Av? Av!" Thurgood says, "are ya there?"

Aveline does not respond, and Thurgood starts questioning why.

Oh, the attraction...

"New Everrun to Captain Singlance, are you reading?" Thurgood asks, before just pulling the end of her ear, avoiding the pistol round ear studs.

"Ow! What the fuck?" Aveline shouts, "wait, what just happened?"

"I'm guessing an organic version of the Windows Blue Screen of Death," Thurgood replies.

"Oh, uh... fuck," Aveline says, "I uh, didn't think other people could be attracted to me..."

"Well, at least I'll never face that problem. Wanna go change and try some candlepin?"

"Fuck yeah, I need some time for my subconscious to work."

[notmuch_23 2300]

Multi-use Venue Floors B2-5

Clothes were changed to far more casual ones, Candlepin bowling was done, badly, and then it was time to get to the venue, currently configured as a performance theater, and as the other viewers file into their seats, there are four that staff members currently occupy, to keep them free for their occupants for the show: Thurgood, Aveline, John, and Mal.

So what is the show? Stark-Raving Circus: a delightfully weird wonderfully unique entertainment experience.

Thurgood and Aveline make their way to their seats, with buckets of popcorn and cups of pop, and wait for John, Mal, and the Stark Raving Circus.

@danzilla3 @Djinn&Juice

[danzilla3 5018]

"Cheer up!"

Mal looked up at his old friend from his position at the bar; where he had been sampling some of the establishments assortment of whiskeys. He gulped down the remainder of his glass before signaling the bartender for another. As the drink was poured, he would reply.

"Never should have let you talk me into this," Mal grumbled, "I'm not like you. I'm not good at this."

John sighed, and sat down next to Mal, "You've failed to consider a very obvious possibility my friend."

"And that would be?"

"That Aveline is as rusty at romance as you are; maybe even more so," John explained, "As far as I know, she hasn't even been on a date since she came to this world. It's entirely possible that she didn't even realize you were hitting on her. Or maybe she did, and just didn't know how to respond."

Mal's expression grew thoughtful, "I guess that would explain her going quiet all of the sudden... I mean it's not like she said no."

"Exactly!" John clapped Mal on the back, "Now let's go. We're meeting the two of them for a show."

Mal had no time to protest as he was dragged from the bar and into the theater; where John quickly located the Singlances. Before Mal could do anything, the governor took a seat next to Thurgood, leaving the only open seat next to Aveline. Shooting his friend a pointed look, Mal sat down next to Aveline, flashing a polite smile to her as he did.

[notmuch_23 2300]

"D'aw fuck," Aveline thinks, "I bet he thinks I'm a weirdo for freezin' up earlier..."

Thurgood turns to John; "I know you want to set up Mal with Av, but what's his deal?" he asks, "not that I don't trust your judgement, but Av is honestly the first person to ever truly give a flyin' fuck about me, and I don't want anybody to hurt her."

Saying that Aveline is rusty at romantic relationships assumes that she even had any to begin with. The closest thing either of the Singlance siblings had to one is the couple of drow orgies they participated in back on Gaia Prime, but that's as close as a finger skateboard is to a Lamborghini Aventador.

[danzilla3 5018]

"Mal is an old friend of mine," John explained, "Probably the oldest one still living; though you're a close second. He's a good man; and I think he and Aveline would be a good match for him."

The governor clapped Thurgood on the shoulder, "Don't worry; I'm quite fond of your sister in my own way. I wouldn't set her up with a man who would hurt her... not least because I'm sure she would make him regret it!"

---

Mal sat in silence for a while, glancing at the woman next to him out of the corner of his eye from time to time. He tried to keep in mind what John had said; that it wasn't like she had turned him down or anything. There was still a chance!

"I'm... well, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable earlier. It's been a while since I've done the whole... dating thing."

[notmuch_23 2300]

23 hours ago, danzilla3 said:

"I'm... well, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable earlier. It's been a while since I've done the whole... dating thing."

"and honestly, I haven't dated," Aveline says, "nobody's really found me attractive, so, uh... this is entirely new territory. Popcorn?"

The lights start dimming in the venue as the clock nears showtime.

"Lazarus had better fucking start on time," Thurgood thinks as he chuckles a bit about the last thing that John said.

@Djinn&Juice

Edited October 1, 2020 by notmuch_23

[danzilla3 5018]

Mal amicably took a handful of popcorn and munched on it as the lights went down, and the show began. It was a strange spectacle that the Singlance's had hired; though an undeniably entertaining one. When it was over, he turned to Aveline and smiled. He was glad that he had taken John's advice to keep trying. Now that Aveline knew that he was interested in her, he figured he might as well ask again.

"So... any chance you're still interested in that drink?"

 

[notmuch_23 2300]

9 hours ago, danzilla3 said:

"So... any chance you're still interested in that drink?"

"Well," Aveline says, "I don't know if you smoke, but there's a cigar and pipe bar on the second floor that's, uh... less busy than the others.

Indeed, Stark Raving Circus is entertaining, but the tricks the animals do are quite entertaining. The surfing act was the height of the show though, no doubt about it.

"Anything you wanna do?" Thurgood asks John.

[danzilla3 5018]

Mal grinned, "I've been known to enjoy a cigar now and again."

It was almost unbelievable how much better things were going this time around. Now that Aveline knew that he was interested in her, she didn't seem to hate the idea of spending some time with him. That in and of itself was the most progress toward any kind of romantic involvement he'd made in years. Aveline said she had no experience dating, but Mal didn't have much more than that. Hell, the last time he'd gotten laid was-

He mentally chastised himself. That wasn't what this was about. Not yet at any rate, not when they still barely new each other.

"Lead the way.

---

John thought about Thurgoods question for a moment before smiling, "I feel like doing a bit of gambling. Care to watch?"

[notmuch_23 2300]

Smoking Bar, Floor 2

Well, Aveline wants to give Mal a chance, and try to make up for her weirding out earlier.

When the elevator doors open, Aveline leads Mal through a set of double glass doors, and then through a second set. If he was paying attention, Mal would notice a rush of air into the bar space; it's kept at a lower pressure than the rest of the property to keep smoke in; smoke which would hit both of their olfactory arrays immediately. It's not the harsh smell of cigarette smoke, but instead the more mellow, and sometimes even a bit fruity, smell of various cigar and pipe tobacco smokes. The lighting is much more dim here, with warm "white" lighting behind the shelves of whiskey, wine, and brandy bottles. They have names that are well-known throughout Valucre, but those in the know would recognize the specific lines of drinks aren't the best those companies have to offer; the're aimed more for the masses, just like everything else here. The humadors are in the wooden cabinets below the liquor shelves. The dark floor tiles are stone, but not granite or marble, but instead polished basalt in hexagons. There of course is a bar with seats and ashtrays, but there are some tables in the center, and booths around the outside.

"Hello Miss Singlance," a waiter in a dark gray polo says, "any particular place you'd like to sit?"

"A booth please," Aveline replies, "and only one drink and tobacco menu."

The waiter brings them both to an empty, clean booth, and Aveline sits down, and inviting Mal to do the same.

---

"Yeah," Thurgood says, "I need to see if the dealers are using correct procedure. Fuck, I may even join you."

[danzilla3 5018]

Walking into the bar was like entering the promised land.

Growing up poor, Mal had learned to keep his pleasures simple; and few such pleasures were as satisfying as a bottle of good whiskey and a cigar. The haze of smoke in the air reminded him of many a neighborhood bar where he'd unwound from a days work. Sitting down in the booth Aveline gestured to. Already he felt more comfortable in this place than he had at any other point in the evening.

"So," he began, "This is your bar. Anything you'd recommend?"