Closing Time | Open

[Tigran Razi]

Friday August 31st, 1973
12:15AM @ The Snake Pit

He’d finished his internship at St. Mungos earlier in the day and had a whole day free before term.  A freedom that was less than an hour away with his last shift at the Snake Pit ending just after close of the shift he was working tonight.  Yes, he’d had days off over the summer but they’d always been followed with the responsibility of showing up to St. Mungos afterwards.  A responsibility that even if he’d shown up more tired than he should have a couple of times he limited how late he stayed out to ensure he’d be presentable.

Tonight he had zero intention of limiting how late he stayed out.  He had every intention of going dancing with his friends in muggle London after his shift and likely staying out till he had to fetch his things from his flat tomorrow.  A fetching that only required him to be awake enough to hand over the keys to his room, and carry his things to the Hogwarts Express where he could sleep.

Though first he had to get through the last bit of his shift as he made his way down the bar wiping it clean as he went.  An action that was more to slow his movements so he could talk to customers than actual cleaning.  One of the more practical skills he learned this summer about talking to people and gave him time to read them a bit.

Though his reading now was done with his wand quietly in his hand as he attempted to read the Aura of the patron that was alone at the end of the bar.  Then he walked over and said “ Kitchen’s going to close soon.  I find the chicken tenders good for a pick me up before heading to the next party. “

Words he regretted saying as soon as they came out of his mouth as with his excitement for where he was going after he let it slip his mind was on the next party, not the job he was doing at the bar.  Or even worse it could be mistaken as him trying to hit on the person - he wasn't.  Even worse there was no saving of his words as he didn't know a single place in the wizarding world that would fit the bill.

OOC: If you want Tigran to read your aura make an OOC note of what colors he’d see, if not I’ll assume no note means he failed.

[Fiona O'Malley]

On a normal occasion, this would be still a bit early time for Fiona at the Sirens. Well, maybe close to closing time. But she had had a different job that evening. Just because she was currently a legal establishment owner (well, co-owner), that didn't mean she hadn't kept her 'other job' on the side. Katya had required some information on a potential target. Sure, she could've probably done it herself. But she was overdue on Mom duty.

Her beau was minding the bar in Fiona's absence. He was doing a fine job behind the counter. The Irish woman had often wondered why he had kept this job, when he was clearly capable of more than that. The question had been asked. The answer? "I enjoy doing what I am doing." Something that Fiona couldn't really argue. Anyway, diverging ... Fiona was incognito acquiring the said information from a source.

Said source had kept her waiting at the Snake Pit until 12:30 am, when saying that they would be there at 10. Obviously, Fiona's patience had run extremely thin. It manifested physically in a hard slap against the man's face, especially after trying to make a pass at her. Normally, she would've accepted such a thing and might've gone further. But not that evening. You don't make Fiona O'Malley angry and get away with it.

Anyway, job had been completed. Now she wanted one last stiff drink before heading back to the Sirens. Except someone seemed intent to make her target practice to his wand. Green eyes narrowed in the young man's direction, fingers grasping upon her own wand and her mind silently casting a protection spell. Nothing happened ... strangely. Then there was some crack about ... chicken tenders. And him moving in her proximity.

Was he ... ? Yuck. He was ... what? 17? No. Absolutely not.

The eyes remained narrowed, rather dangerous, and her voice was snappy.

"One. Your wand, move it elsewhere. Two, I am not interested. Three ... aren't you a bit young for bar-hopping?"

[Tigran Razi]

He’d seen the slap out of the corner of his vision but as the situation didn’t escalate he’d forgotten about it until he heard the woman’s snappy tone.  He didn’t need to see an aura to tell this woman meant some sort of business so with a twirled flair between his fingers he very visibly put his wand back tucked inside his sleeve.  He was unsurprised this woman was not one for chicken tenders.

With a smirk he said “ Unless you’re here to tell me bar hopping gets more refined. “ Then with an exaggerated pause and a tilt of his head he continued “ I’d wager young and dumb is the perfect age for it. “  Hoping that a smile and a bit of humor might improve the woman’s mood.

Then he wiped the bar with a calm motion before putting his rag back on the lower part of the bar as he said “ Not that I’ll be bar hopping as still got some time on my shift back here. “  A sentence accented with him making a welcoming wave of his hand over the top of his bar.  Then he added “ Would you be interested in ordering something from the bar?  I could even discretely put some water on ice if desired. “

[Fiona O'Malley]

'Bar hopping' and 'refined' did not necessarily belong in the same sentence. For obvious reasons. As a bar owner, she had had plenty of exhibits of that particular sport going off the rails. So she didn't feel like she needed to tell this young man she wasn't going to make that particular statement. "Well, I am just ... trying to take the dumb out of the equation." Fiona stated with a rather placid smile. "It doesn't always work, but no harm in trying. Just doing my duty."

Shift ... He was working here. Probably a summer job. He definitely looked like he belonged at Hogwarts or some other educational institution. Still, he was rather young to be a bartender, even if it was just a summer job. She wouldn't be hiring someone to do this kind of work below the age of ... 22? Maybe 24. It was also that time of the night when someone like him might be targeted by unpleasant individuals in the street. Perhaps she should do him a favor and get him home safely.

Her good deed for the week.

The drink invitation was certainly appealing. Just not the choice of beverage. "I would wish for something stronger than water. Although the ice would certainly be a nice addition. Thank you." The woman's demeanor became less stiffer than a minute earlier and she began studying him quietly. Purely out of curiosity, not for any other reasons. "So ... still in school or fresh graduate? You're certainly younger than the large majority of bartenders that I've come across."

[Tigran Razi]

He had to smirk as the woman tried to remove dumb from the equation.  Having spent the last couple of years, being underage, working on and off in bars and clubs during his breaks and specializing in being a janitor he’d never remove dumb from the equation.  Even when the equation involved himself he accounted for dumb, even if he was smarter than most as he didn’t drink beyond tasting things for research purposes.

He said “ The world appreciates that you tried. “

Stronger than water was where he excelled.  He said “ Do you have a specific drink you’d like to order, or I can make you a custom cocktail if you’d like. “  Naturally he hoped for the custom cocktail as he did enjoy the creativity of mixing drinks.

Being younger was a constant in his life.  Though admittedly lying about his age saying he was two years older for the majority of his life and using a fake identity when he lived in the muggle world was a contributing factor.  He said “ It’s a business like any other, and it takes far more practice and training than most realize.  Let’s just say when one becomes a potioneer one has far less ingredients to consider and far more time to consider them without having to please the palette of discerning customers. “

With a smirk he said “ Regrettably, most getting into the business miss a lot of that and are just trying to switch sides of the bar which in my experience doesn't work at any age. “  It also meant the majority of his summer was spent on the slower nights at the bar and he had to hold himself to a slightly higher standard than others who worked alongside him.

Naturally he dodged the question of if he was still in school.  He was.  However, he was smart enough to not say that.

[Fiona O'Malley]

“ The world appreciates that you tried. “

They most likely did not. Technically, the world wasn't really supposed to know that she was out and about. But she would take the comment from the young man and frame it. "Much obliged." Fiona replied calmly and nodded in his direction. For 'the world'. Every little good bit for which she was being given a small recognition was worth its weight in gold. Even if it was small. There was a lot more needed to get her out of the red with society. But all bits counted.

“ Do you have a specific drink you’d like to order, or I can make you a custom cocktail if you’d like. “

Normally, Fiona would've just gone for something specific. But, since there was a rather inviting offer on the table, she would actually entertain it. There would be a little added baggage to it though, because she had asked a question. The question had not been properly answered. The Irish woman wasn't just going to forget about it. But she would give the kid a chance to win this one fair and square.

"Something strong. Surprise me. If I like it, I will forget that I asked that question. You know which one." A small smirk fluttered on the woman's lips. There was no need to say more. Besides, this was extra incentive for the kid not to just give her some crap drink. Heck, if it was very good, there might even be something more on the counter for him.

"So you like potions then? Makes sense for you to become a bartender." The two things did mix somewhat. It wasn't the most natural of transitions, but it was somewhat logical.

[Tigran Razi]

With a smile he nodded knowing exactly the question she was referring to.  The one on his age that he stopped answering outside the castle years ago as it either opened up leverage for others or disappointed them.  Thankfully now he was at a point where it would just bring disappointment.

He said “ I do.  I also had some of the best tasting potions in the hospital wing when I was working in the apothecary at Hogwarts. “ A phrasing used to hopefully make Hogwarts seem more in the past than the tomorrow it actually was.

He looked at the options behind the bar picked out a good combo that would compliment ice well.  Ice that he made special by cutting a few strawberries into thin flower shapes along with small mint leaves placing them in the bottom of an ice cube tray then making half cubes of them by transfiguring the water frozen. Then he quickly prepared one of the stronger cocktails over his ice cubes that would normally have strawberry and mint as a garnish which he added a bit less of the normal garnish before handing it to the woman. 

He resisted the urge to add any illusions to accent the drink like he often did as he had a feeling that would just make him seem younger.

He said “ Sometimes there is more to life than functionality. “ For him that sometimes was rare, but a summer as a bartender taught him optimism was good for tips.

“ Another round Tigran. “ a man shouted from down the bar.

A smile crossed his face as he quickly moved to pour another round of the boring Irish beers the man and his friends were fond of.  Beers that he silently used his wand to float over to the men with a softly muttered spell only for the illusions of the leprechauns dancing around the glasses.

Returning to standing in front of the woman he said with a smile “ I hope I wasn’t wrong in thinking you’re the type of woman who doesn’t like her liquor hidden and instead prefers it accented in cocktails. “

[Fiona O'Malley]

Best tasting potions. Normally, potions did not matter if they tasted good or not. They mattered if they did the job they were made for. Even if they tasted like crap. She knew that all too well. It had been one of her favorite subjects in school. Hospital Wing was not one of her priorities. Except doing her best to stay out of it. Anyway ... she looked on casually as the kid worked on her cocktail.

“Sometimes there is more to life than functionality.“

Hm. He wasn't wrong. But sometimes it was the only thing. It was the driving force. Sure, a few sprinkles here and there were appreciated at the right moment. But Fiona was not one for elaborate shows. Not anymore. The cocktail wasn't one either, it seemed. But it was just what she wanted. Perhaps even stronger than expected. She said nothing and just continued to savor it.

“I hope I wasn’t wrong in thinking you’re the type of woman who doesn’t like her liquor hidden and instead prefers it accented in cocktails.“

And he had done it again. Pleasantly surprising. It was time to see if she was wrong in her assumption after the few minutes spent with the kid. "You certainly got the smarts for someone your age. Ravenclaw house?" There were really only two choices. But the other one felt like it didn't quite match his effort to make the potions tasty. Slytherins wouldn't bother, would they? Hm ... probably wouldn't. Most of them.

[Tigran Razi]

Again within minutes of meeting him another person pegged him as a Ravenclaw.  He was, but it still surprised him as he found his housemates ran the gambit with the biggest clue typically being how many books they had surrounding them.  Currently he had zero books, still the only thing he was looking forward to at Hogwarts was relaxing with a big pile of books.

He said “ Thank you, and yes I was sorted into Ravenclaw. “ Wording again to be truthful yet still not say he was still a Ravenclaw.  Though he was uncertain if after graduation one was still a Ravenclaw with how quickly adults guessed at houses.

Then he said “ Though I would have described my drink as more of a Hufflepuff creation as a proper preparation of garnishes is hard work.“ Though maybe not as the attention to detail was definitely a Ravenclaw one. 

He asked “ Were you a Ravenclaw as well? “  Mostly as it was the safest house to ask anyone about as being seen as smart was always a compliment.

[Fiona O'Malley]

The guess was on point. It wasn't necessarily all about the books. She didn't really have that many books either. It was all about knowledge and about putting it to use. Knowing how to navigate through the maze that was life. There were moments when Fiona went a bit philosophical. Rare moments. Diamonds of sorts. Ironic, considering she didn't think much about precious stones.

Because they weren't really worth the effort. She wasn't the type of individual to go for broke for such a big prize. Even if she used to be a criminal. Well, law-breaker. Never a murderer. Sometimes, the most precious thing one could ask for was ... not something that glittered. One such thing for Fiona was friendship. There were very few people that she could truly call 'friends'. More precisely, two of them. Her own 'diamonds'.

Her Sirens.

“ Were you a Ravenclaw as well? “

"Yes. Long time ago." What was it ... ? 35 years? Yeah. A lifetime ago. Then she had entered her 'maze'. Many turns. Most of them wrong. But, for the past 10 years, it's been good ones. Ever since that morning of October 2nd 1963. The day when everything changed. Then, of course, a week later. But the former became just as important of a day as St. Patrick's. Which also happened to be her birthday.

Anyway, diverging ... severely. She took another sip of her drink. Before extracting a little satchel. And, from the satchel, several coins. Just over double her estimate of the price of the cocktail. She didn't recognize it but she knew the regular prices of such beverages. Fiona did own a bar, after all. She gently pushed the coins on the counter towards the kid.

"The change is for you." The red-head smiled politely. "And I'd be happy to help you close up. Just in case there's any ... unsavory characters outside. Or inside." Because there usually were. That was why there were always at least two people closing up her establishment.

"What's your name, kid?"

[Tigran Razi]

He nodded as she mentioned she was a former Ravenclaw.  If he had to guess among the patrons he had this summer he assumed they were in the minority.  Though they were among the more interesting ones he served from his position behind the bar.

He happily took the coin purse with a quick estimate of it more than covering the drink.  A division that would be handled later with less watching.

With a smile he said “ I haven’t worked my way up to closing yet. “ as he pointed at one of his larger male co-workers at the door.  As even if in the wizarding world size meant a lot less it still was intimidating to most in the Snake Pit.  While he hadn't seen it truly tested he figured the man by the door had an arsenal of spells to complement his muscles.  If not, this summer working at the Snake Pit unlike his attempts at dueling in Hogwarts had certainly made him more capable of sending hexes himself with an efficiency towards restricting people's movements.

Then he smirked “ I’ll be good as I can apparate and they’re all scared of a splinch especially as many wouldn’t be able to apparate themselves to St. Mungos. “ The fact that he might have some obligation to help them in that state went unsaid as he certainly wasn’t going to advertise he was interning as a Healer which would make him appear weaker.

He said “ I’m Tigran, and I don’t believe I got the pleasure of catching your name. “

[Fiona O'Malley]

“ I haven’t worked my way up to closing yet. “

Hm. Must've not been at this establishment that long then. Didn't really matter all that much though. The individual that was pointed out did look rather intimidating. Then again, muscles could just be disabled with spells. If given the opportunity ... Moreover, Kats looked intimidating enough to Fiona without such 'arsenal' at her disposal. Size did not really matter, except when it was actually successful in putting someone off. Someone not confident enough in their magic. "I see," she comented calmly.

“ I’ll be good as I can apparate and they’re all scared of a splinch especially as many wouldn’t be able to apparate themselves to St. Mungos. “

So he had passed the Apparition Exam. Well, good then. That was one swift way out. Alright then. She would withdraw her assistance offer then. "I guess you've covered all bases then. Good." Fiona remarked with a smile. She got off the stool that she had been sitting on and got herself ready to leave.

“ I’m Tigran, and I don’t believe I got the pleasure of catching your name. “

Tigran. Intriguing name ... Then again there were plenty of interesting names floating around Britain, everywhere you would look. "Nieve." A little callback to her Ravenclaw roots ... Well, technically, 'bright' was referring to something else but close enough. She placed her hand on the counter, then withdrew it, revealing a galleon. "This is for your company and engaging conversation. Don't share it, please."

It had really been something that she had needed after being thrown off her rails by her contact. Terribly rude individual. Anyway, she began making her way towards the door, not before making a parting comment towards Tigran. "Nice meeting you, Tigran. Best of luck with those potions." And a little bit of Irish spice to wrap it up.

"Top o' the evenin' to ye!"


(OOC: You can still stop her, if you want to.)