isleofavalon | Bimonthly Shining Karaoke Mingle

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Bimonthly Shining Karaoke Mingle

🧙 WHO: Anyone and everyone
⚔️️ WHAT: Bimonthly Shining Karaoke mingle log
🕒 WHEN: Through May
🗺️ WHERE: Shining Karaoke
⚠️ WARNINGS: None that I can think of, will edit if needed.

Monthly theme

The cherry blossoms are still in the highlight of some of the booths but there are also other spring flowers and decorating the place. Those with a romantic heart can request a certain combination of flowers to spell out messages for their loved ones.

The food and drinks list also very light and spring themed, mostly, even if there is a nice variety of other things as well.

Newest hits

This month promotes 90's music. Especially groups like the Backstreet Boys, N Sync and Spice Girls are featured in the 'recommended songs' sections. It seems the theme started a few days before the month changed because one of the most played songs currently is "It's gonna be me (May)".

A new category has been added to the machine that features picks by staff members. All of the staff members have had the opportunity to add their favorite song to the list. The list is on the main menu, accessible by everyone with the names of the staff members listen next to the song.

Late night

During the later hours of the nights, especially during the weekend, the bar opens up possibilities for more private parties and more spicy atmosphere. The lights have been modified to fit a more sensual mood and closeness is always encouraged. Party games like Spin the Bottle are also brought up during this time of the day.

Of course anything too lewd will be asked to take elsewhere, but some spicy flirting is always on the menu... even from the bar owner.

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If your character is working at the bar and wants to give a song for the playlist, please leave the song here in the comment.

Also if you have arranged for your character to work here, remember to post here.

Edited 2021-05-03 19:12 (UTC)

Never Gonna Give You Up.

Because Ren likes to troll people occasionally.

Edited 2021-05-03 19:15 (UTC)

Pentatonix's "Take Me Home"

Not that anyone but Shiro will understand what Shinji means when he says this is Claudia's fault, but this is Claudia's fault.

It may also be a little concerning. If asked, Shinji will just call it a mood.

Listen, if you don't expect Spice Girls from the girl, who is a lot about girlpower herself too, I don't know what to tell you... Especially, when she's from around the years, when this band was all over everywhere all the time with music, movie, world tours and everything else including merchandise too.

So generally speaking, all of their songs from the first 2 albums, but obviously I'm not gonna link all of them now and just gonna leave WANNABE here!

Whether it's looking for a job or just talking with Ren about work, here is a thread for all of these interactions.

One afternoon, there is indeed someone looking for a job. Shinji's still not completely sure about working at a karaoke place, but if the kitchen's not in constant earshot like Makoto promised it isn't, he should be fine.

"Friend of mine said you were lookin' for help cooking."

Ren smiles. "That's right, especially with one of the kitchen staff moving onto another job. There's definitely a place available."

"Well, cooking I can do. Name's Shinji."

And he's down for whatever the interview process is.

"I'm Ren Jinguji", he says this as an official introduction, even if he likely knows already. "Would you be interested in an interview involving some cooking? The new stock hasn't arrived yet, but I would like to see what you can make from whatever we do have available."

He'd been half hoping that would be the 'interview' process, and mostly sure he'd have to try to talk himself up. That's hard enough for people who have functional self-worth, and Shinji hasn't been acquainted with the concept in several years.

"Sounds good."

"Great. The kitchen is this way. It's a little further away from the actual singing area", Ren says as he leads the way. "This way those who want to eat in peace have an opportunity to do so and out kitchen staff can concentrate."

"Good to know."

More like 'thank fuck,' really, but even Shinji is capable of applying a brain-to-mouth filter from time to time.

At least Ren wouldn't have minded the language, especially if customers weren't near the earshot. He leads them to the kitchen which is very basic, but does have everything needed for cooking. "Here we go. I have some paperwork to sort out, but I will come check on you in... half an hour? Is that enough time?"

Shinji smiles, there and gone in a flash. "Should be plenty of time. If I'm not done by then it won't be long."

Now to see what's here to work with.

"I'll see you then." Ren makes his leave for the moment.

There are basic ingredients you might need for all kinds of dishes, paired with an assortment of vegetables leftover from the previous stock and some tofu and shrimp. There are also a variety of fruit.

Honestly, this doesn't feel like the low point in a stocked kitchen to Shinji. The orphanage was usually way, way worse before they got more food in. For one thing, there are multiple plants available, and that about never happened.

He can work with this easy.

He turns up some white miso, so the tofu and some green onions are set for soup - and that'll be done well inside the half-hour mark. As for the shrimp, there's plenty of rice, so he starts working on something between a paella and a risotto with several of the other available vegetables. Fruit's not his strongest point - that segues more into baking, and he mainly learned cakes out of self-defense - but worst case, he can chop some up for a fruit salad or something.

Ren didn't really tell him he had to use all the ingredients, so even if he left the fruit by themselves, it would be fine.

After around half an hour, Ren returns to the kitchen. "How do you like the kitchen?"

All the more reason to leave it to last. Then if he doesn't get to it, it's there for someone else.

"It's not bad."

[ Louis intentionally arrives early to work this day, because he wants to spend some time with the friend of his. He knows when Ren will be there. They both keep so busy that he figures now is the best time to engage a little bit. He's not here in regards to business, though. This is a social call.

He'll lean onto the table near his friend and say. ]

It's been awhile.

[It's definitely fun to actually just hang out with Louis and not just work their butts off while exchanging pleasantries.]

It has. It's nice to just be able to talk for a change.

And relax.

[ He looks amused. ]

How have you been, Ren? I feel like despite being here together, we don't make time to talk.

Your bartender this evening is a ~~double~~ tall young man with a lotus bloom pinned like a boutonnière to his black turtleneck and a charming smile. "Hey there - enjoying yourself? What can I get for you to make your night perfect?"

Matt wanders up to the bar and leans on it with a very familiar characteristic smirk. He's wearing a casual-ish outfit, his usual comfort over style, and he looks a bit tired.

"So, mister one-armed bartender, what's good?"

Shiro chuckles that low, warm laugh that always seems to be just for the person he's talking to. "Well, you're here, for one thing," he smiles, "but if you mean drinks, we have a special on sakura drinks this evening... I have a few ideas, if you're spoiled for choice." He lifts a brow with a playful, knowing smirk toying at his lips.

Shiro, why do you make this so hard for him? Matt blushes, cheeks just barely turning pink as he sits down on a stool.

He smiles back, leaning forward on the bar a bit. "I trust you, Shiro. Give me whatever you think I'd like."

Shiro hums, tipping his head to one side slightly. "Are you here for a good time, or to get smashed out of the park?" he asks. That smirk isn't going anywhere, apparently.

"It's been ages since I've been good and smashed. Let's go for it!"

Since Shiro's the bar tender, no matter what fluttering his heart is doing at the moment, he knows he's safe. Shiro won't let anyone carry him off. Besides, he knows his sister would come running if necessary.

Shiro laughs, lifting his chin and closing his eyes, and just for a moment one could almost see the grey and orange of the Garrison across his shoulders. "Giving me all the decisions, huh? Alright. One more question first: modern or classic?"

There's something magical, no pun intended, to actually see Shiro laugh. Their time together while captured was so intense, that Matt's pretty sure the last time he actually saw Shiro laugh was on Saturn.

A soft, fond smile crosses Matt's face as he thinks. "Hm. Let's start classic. I might be a space nerd, but I do appreciate a good bit of history."

Shiro flashes him a familiar grin. "I've got just the thing."

Shiro wasn't really big on drinking back home - a drink or two every few months once he was out of the pressure cooker that was the Garrison schooling - but he seems at ease behind the counter, measuring out liquor with a smooth twist of the wrist and a little graceful turning to collect ingredients or put them back. A coupe glass alights on the counter, a wedge of lime making the rim slick with juice before it's twisted into a sparkling bed of sugar and set aside. Cognac, light rum, lemon juice, Grand Marnier, simple syrup, and a dash of orange bitters find their way into the shaker.

Having just one hand doesn't seem to slow him down at all, nor restrain his energy. It's a smooth, classic kind of show, with fewer flips and tricks than one might expect in a night club, but he has this trick of holding watchers' attention anyhow. Maybe it has to do with the joy he seems to take in the motions. Or maybe it's the way there seems to be a rhythm, like he's dancing to music only he can hear. Whatever it is, it's fun to watch, but he only needs twenty seconds and all too soon he's pouring a golden orange liquid into the glass.

The warmer air of the bar has brought a fog of condensation to the chilled glass, giving the whole thing a frosted look as Shiro slides the sakura-blossom coaster across to his customer. "You'll have to tell me what you think," he smiles.

Matt is utterly transfixed watching Shiro make the drink. There's a fluidity that he's seen before, and a gentle passion and determination that he's seen in his friend's flying.

When the drink appears in front of him, he almost forgets that it's something he actually has to do something with, but he does take a sip and grins. "Oh, that's lovely. What's that one called?"

Part of him realizes it's probably deceptively strong, but he doesn't think he cares right now.

Shiro brightens, pleased that it's so well received. "Depends. Some people call it a Maiden's Prayer." His grin widens, just a little bit saucy. "But most people know it as Between the Sheets."

Damnit. Matt's blush is turning bright red, almost as red as his hair. He takes another drink, trying to stop his heart from doing a million somersaults out of his chest.

"Really, now? That's very interesting." He smirks again. "I'll have to keep that in mind."

"If you really like it, now you know what to ask for," Shiro grins, tipping Matt a wink. "Planning on karaoke tonight?" He sets about cleaning his dishes and countertop almost absent-mindedly, paying far more attention to Matt than the particulars of workplace hygiene.

"Possibly. I think the last time I did karaoke was the night before the Kerberos mission was announced. I was so nervous that I just had to get drunk."

He pauses, thinking a minute. "Might need another drink in me before that, though." He's not the greatest singer.

Something softens a little around Shiro's eyes and in his smile. "Take your time. I'll be here all night, and the liquor's not going anywhere either."

There's a moment's pause filled only by the clink of metal, a comfortable lull. Then Shiro hums and turns to the abundant spread of flowers in their assorted containers on another section of bar behind the counter. He rubs his jaw for a moment, frowning in thought, and then plucks three cherry blossoms and arranges them around a white egret orchid, carefully winding a bit of thin florist's wire around the stems, trims them, and comes back to lean over the counter and gently tuck the little poesy behind Matt's ear.

"There we go. Now you really fit in here. Match the décor and everything," he murmurs. Without giving Matt much time to react, he continues, a little louder, "How's life? Can you get back into your apartment now?"

Edited (html is my bane) 2021-05-05 16:12 (UTC)

Oh, look. He's bright pink again. He takes another long drink, then smiles widely at Shiro. It's a smile that hasn't seen the light of day since Kerberos. It just feels good to be here and not have to worry about things.

"Guess I am fabulous enough for flowers." Matt beams for a moment, trying not to noticeably shiver at Shiro's fingers on his ear.

"Yeah, we're good. Nothing got too waterlogged except a couple of my textbooks. I can deal with that." He takes another drink. "Pidge is kinda mad at me for my secondary magic, though. I'm trying to find something we can work on together to make her feel better."

There it is. There's the true, unburdened smile of one Matthew Holt. Something eases in Shiro's chest and it feels like he can breathe a little deeper.

"Mm, that's a good idea! You could always have her kitbash something and chip in on the programming. Package delivery helicopter drone. Or if you want to involve her magic, maybe the two of you can work on some sort of automated grow light and rain set up?" he offers.

A waitress comes by with a slip of drink orders and Shiro sets about making them up with more efficiency and less showmanship this time, but that doesn't stop him from talking to Matt.

"Day/night simulation, light levels, water table... figure out which plants work well together and which ones don't want anything else around? You could probably get Green the Small to help fetch things or dig for you."

"Oh, I know us. We'll come up with something. I just feel bad that she feels left out. I know that I was working a bit on warding firewalls before this other magic came about, so I could definitely teach her that."

He makes a face. He doesn't like when Pidge is uncomfortable or mad at things. He wants his sister to have the stars if she wants them.

Falling silent, he just watches Shiro make the drinks and finishes the one in front of him, losing himself in his thoughts.

"Let me know if you want someone to come distract her for a while," Shiro says quietly, a little worry wrinkle appearing between his brows. The Holts mean a lot to him, and he doesn't like to see Pidge upset. "Or you, for that matter. Heh... the less time I spend in that hotel room the better, I think. I was starting to dream about it on and off toward the end of April."

He finishes up the last of the drinks, setting it on the server's tray. She smiles and thanks him and walks off with a bounce in her step that has no impact on the drinks she's holding. Somehow.

Turning back to Matt, Shiro smiles, one of those soft, private kinds of smiles, just watching for a moment or two. "A gold for your thoughts, Major Tom," he murmurs.

"Nothing worth writing home about, to be honest." Matt shrugs idly.

"Just feeling super odd that things aren't... immediately a Crisis for once." A long pause. "I could use another drink, though."

"I don't know... Having to rescue your potentially sentient computer hardware from the flood that nearly drowned your room seems worth writing about," Shiro smiles.

He turns to the counter behind him, pulling out his ingredients and a tall fluted glass. This time he doesn't mix it where Matt can see, but deliberately places his body between the drink and his friend. It's a secret, okay?

"You're right, though," he says over his shoulder. "I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. Fighting off the common cold isn't exactly a Galra cruiser, is it."

"Well, yeah, I guess my computer equipment would yell at me a little bit if they were super wet."

He pauses, swirling some ice in his glass and peering at Shiro. "So, what're you making? Do I get to know before I drink it?"

Shiro turns just enough to meet Matt's eyes without revealing his work. "Do you trust me?"

"Always, Shiro. No matter what."

Matt returns Shiro's look, smiling, and confident.

Edited 2021-05-21 01:43 (UTC)

Shiro flashes him a grin that holds more than a little delight. Without a word he turns back to his work. Several things are poured, the small ting of a spoon on glass chimes, and Shiro says, "Close your eyes."

He turns bright red, then smirks, closing his eyes. "Now you're just teasing me. But I'll play along."

"It's better as a surprise," Shiro says warmly.

A moment's pause, and then: "Now."

Just on the edge of the down light sits the tall flute with a deep blue liquid in it that sparkles in swirls and columns of pearl glimmer are drawn upward by rising streams of tiny bubbles. A slice of star fruit sits on the rim glittering with sugar crystals.

"Thought you might miss the stars," Shiro all but whispers.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Bimonthly Shining Karaoke Mingle

OOC: Staff favorites playlist

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Meetings with the owner

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just socializing

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Bartender~

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[Kind, Gentle, and Pure - and a promise to always dream of him.]

... Such a sap. Matt loves this boy so much.

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