Payback for the bait and switch

[goodeintentions]

Who: inkstainedsword and selfmadman
What: AN ICE CREAM PARTY
Where: House of Ego, then a bar just over the river in Griss Twist
When: Veerdi evening
Notes: None.
Warnings: Alcoholism.

Aimery was grateful it was his night off; it hadn't been a particularly eventful week, but he tired of being on his best behavior and looked forward to an evening where he could relax, have a few drinks, and feel like less of a boring old man with nothing in his life but a job. Around sunset he changed out of his suits and into black slacks and a dark red sweater, with a scarlet scarf about his neck for when he eventually unbuttoned the sweater later in the evening, and swapped out the jewelry in his piercings for ones that were shinier, less discreet.

Before he headed out though, he made one last round of the house, checking that there was nothing else that needed putting away or tidying up.

Comments

[selfmadman]

"If only there were a way to know for sure." Don sat at the edge of the bed, notepad resting on his knees. He sounded preoccupied, his words half a step behind his thoughts.

He glanced up, tossed the pad to the desk. "Next time, knock." His attention snapped back from wherever it had been; a faint crease in his brow, he took in the change in attire. "Where are you headed?"

[goodeintentions]

Aimery was fairly certain that 'well I listened' would just annoy Don further, so he gave an apologetic nod and an 'mmmhmm', trying to look properly chastised. At the conversational question though, he stepped just inside the door and leaned his back against the frame.

"Would you believe me if I said 'out for ice cream'?" Event though that clearly wasn't all he was headed out for. There was a friendly casualness to his tone that was usually muted, making it obviously he already considered himself off the clock. "If you're done for the day you're welcome to join me- my treat, to make up for my rudeness."

[selfmadman]

Don's eyebrows rose a fraction. For a moment he regarded Aimery as if anticipating a punchline, some cue to rustle up a laugh. "It's October," he said, dubiousness plain and patient. "You're a month away from frostbite."

[goodeintentions]

He glanced down at himself, checking that he was indeed dressed warmly, then crossed his arms in front of his chest defensively as he realized that (probably) wasn't what Don was mocking.

"Ice cream can be very warming when accompanied by massive amounts of alcohol, and I happen to be headed to a place with both." Aimery shrugged, "I suspect they could be purchased separately."

[selfmadman]

His expression turned guarded--subtly, a gate closed by a steady hand and with a minimum of fuss. He looked carefully at Aimery and just as carefully away. With a groan Don pushed himself up from the bed and stepped over to the desk.

The glass was where he'd left it; the splash of rye just enough to swirl.

"Can they do an old-fashioned? That's a cocktail," he added, lifting his eyes from the glass, "not a sundae."

[goodeintentions]

Aimery wasn't sure what to make of that look. Clearly he had no objection to alcohol, but if it was lingering annoyance at Aimery then presumably he wouldn't have inquired at all. Hrm.

"Thank you for the clarification," he said and though his tone was mildly sarcastic... he actually did appreciate it because he didn't know. Really? An 'old fashioned'? How unspecific. He uncrossed his arms and stood up from his door leaning, as if readying to take his leave. "I'm sure they can, the bartender's very skilled."

He paused a moment, then added, "They also allow smoking."

[selfmadman]

Businesslike, Don downed the remainder of his drink. Swiping a hand across his mouth he paged through a few of the papers on the desk, gathered them into a pile. "Right," he said in a rueful undertone, flashed a smile that seemed to involve only one corner of his mouth. "I keep forgetting I have to ask."

He switched off the lamp and started for the door.

[goodeintentions]

"Alas," Aimery offered as consolation to Don's not-smile, then moved back out into the hallway as the other man made for the door. He took that as a sign they were indeed going out for ice cream and booze, and headed towards the elevator as well. "So, what's in an old-fashioned? If it's whiskey I might try one, too."

It wouldn't be a long walk to the bar, just south across the river. That time of day it was fairly quiet, looking more like the diner it hid than the occasionally rowdy place it would be once the sun set properly. There was a television over one end of the bar, showing highlights of some sport with a ball and padded suits that Aimery didn't care enough to pay attention to.