[video] ♕ Third Bell

[glassfall]

[Cinders smiles confidently as she turns on the camera. It's been half a year since she entered this place, and there's a world of difference between the underfed, dirty young woman who stepped into this world and the woman who's looking out at whatever the hell the internet has to offer tonight now. But never mind that! There's a reason she's speaking today.]

Hello, everyone! Sorry I disappeared last month; I've been swamped at work. [Not that she minds.] Speaking of which I actually have a position to fill. You see, there's a lovely piano that never sees any use, and I'm interested in hiring someone to play it.

[Well, it does see use, but it's just when Cinders is trying to learn the damn thing herself, but that doesn't count.]

If anyone wants to apply, please either reply to this directly or stop by Revīvēscere. I'm there most nights, but if I'm not, ask for Walter. He manages on my nights off.

Comments

[am_i_a_monster]

Is Revīvēscere a bar? Would you have to be a certain age to work there?

[glassfall]

You need to be above 18 to work there, and 21 or older to serve alcohol.

[am_i_a_monster]

I'm eighteen and I can play the piano.

[glassfall]

Well, in that case, why don't you drop by? The bar's open from 5:00 PM on.

[Hope you like the night life, Abigail.]

I'm called Cinders. What's your name?

[They'd spoken briefly once, but they'd never gotten around to introducing themselves.]

[am_i_a_monster]

I can do that. Where is Revīvēscere?

I'm Abigail.

[glassfall]

It's located in Miami. You can get there easily enough, if you use the Porters.

It's nice to meet you, Abigail.

[am_i_a_monster]

Okay. Cool.

Nice to meet you too.

[glassfall]

Thanks! Have you been here long?

[am_i_a_monster]

About a year now. What about you?

[glassfall]

A little less than that. I only arrived this past spring.

[am_i_a_monster]

Are you doing okay here?

[glassfall]

I believe so. I'm reasonably happy, and I can live my own life.

What about you?

[am_i_a_monster]

I like it here most of the time. There's freedom here and so much we can do.

[glassfall]

That's why I like it, too. Back in my world, I never had any freedom unless I snuck out. Here, I can do what I like.

[am_i_a_monster]

Where I'm from, I climbed over walls to sneak out. And then even that wasn't possible.

It took me a while to get used to being able to go out whenever I want here. It's a good feeling.

[glassfall]

Lucky for me, my stepfamily wasn't particularly observant.

[Except for Sophia, but she's not going to talk about Sophia.]

It's wonderful, isn't it?

[am_i_a_monster]

The climbing over walls thing for me was after my parents died.

It is! It doesn't feel real sometimes.

[glassfall]

I used to sneak out of the kitchen window, myself.

That's true, but it is.

[song_of_ice]

I'm afraid I don't play, but I am glad to see you returned.

[glassfall]

Hello again, Jon! How have you been?

[song_of_ice]

Better, I think. Did you return to your world? I haven't seen you in some time.

[glassfall]

Oh, no. Nothing like that. I've just been so busy at work that I simply haven't had enough chances to get out. What have you been up to?

[song_of_ice]

With your tavern?

What will you do with yourself now? You have no excuse to be locked away.

[glassfall]

Yes, with my tavern.

Oh, I'm looking to go out into the world again. Such as it is.

[song_of_ice]

Let me help you then.

Have supper with me.

[glassfall]

I'd love to. When?

[song_of_ice]

Now?

[He knows he is springing this on her.]

There is a cafe in De Chima that serves food I recognize. It is a nice place. I think you will like it.

[glassfall]

Now would be perfect. I'm afraid I haven't had much time to walk about De Chima.

[Plus, you know, food. Food is great.]

[song_of_ice]

Are you at the tavern now? I could come and meet you there?

[glassfall]

Funnily enough, I am. I assume you remember the way?

Action

[song_of_ice]

I do.

[It takes an hour for him to arrive, but he had made a brief stop to at least bring her something by way of welcoming her back to the world outside. He offered out a daisy he had found along the way, smiling at her warmly as he held it out for her.]

You ready?

[glassfall]

[Cinders doesn't mind, simply tending to the paperwork in the back while she waits - she'd been meaning to do it, anyway. It's terribly dull, but time passed slowly is time passed nonetheless, and she eventually steps out to meet Jon, smiling brightly as she accepts the flower.]

It's lovely. Thank you!

[She nods to him.]

Of course. I've made certain my workers can handle themselves for the evening.

[song_of_ice]

[He leads her outside and starts towards the cafe. It was only a few blocks away and the weather hadn't completely turned too cold yet. Even when it did, the winters here were mild compared to what he was used to.]

You have spent this whole month working, I think that your staff can manage without you for more than an evening.

[glassfall]

[She laughs.]

I certainly hope so. I've trained them enough.

[song_of_ice]

Is that what you will be thinking of the whole evening? The tavern?

[Somehow he has managed to find his footing in flirting with her, a bit more confident than before.]

I think they will manage without you.

[There were a number of people out that evening, enjoying the different restaurants and entertainment offered. Outside the cafe, there were couples and families on the patio, seated beneath trees decorated with twinkling lights. There was a small fountain as well that some of the children were tossing coins into. It was a bit more formal than he remembered.]

They have food I recognize here.

[It's offered by way of explanation.]

[glassfall]

That all depends on the company, I suppose.

[Two can play at that game.]

Oh? That will be a welcome change. I have to say that I enjoy - what are they called? Fries?

[Yeah, she loves those.]

[song_of_ice]

Then I have my answer. I'm not the best of company.

[He can at least poke fun of himself, having heard these things a number of times before.]

Oh right. They have those, some of them are spiced or are flavored to taste like something else. Sweet potatoes? I didn't like that.

[Once they are seated outside, he's able to relax a bit more visibly. He was off his feet and no longer scrambling to think of anything else to say to her...

...Mostly.]

It's been some time since I last saw you, I think?

[glassfall]

[She laughs.]

Come, now. Don't sell yourself so short.

[Cinders makes a face.]

They're not bad, but... I don't like them as fries.

[She nods.]

It's been a month or so.

[song_of_ice]

What will you do now that you have finished most of your work? You can't hide away again.

[Not now that he's finally seen her once more.]

Order whatever you want.

[glassfall]

Oh, can't I?

[She laughs, teasing him a little.]

In all honesty, I'm glad I got it out of the way. Running a bar is harder than I thought, but it's rewarding.

Thank you.

[song_of_ice]

No, I don't think you can.

[He does his best to tease in return.]

I suppose so. You don't regret it? Owning the bar? It ties you down to this world, a place that is yours now. One less reason to return home.

[glassfall]

I'd like to see you stop me.

[This is getting fun.]

I don't want to return there. I've finally got my own life, and nothing to stop me from living it.