Chapter Twelve

[thebestseller]

I've got a new job tending bar at the Death Match. Bars are a good place to hear stories, and you know how much I love hearing stories.

[A pause and some pen taps before he adds:]

I'm a pretty good listener, too. If anyone needs that.

Comments

Dictated

[the_effect_she_has]

Are you a good listener? What about advice giver?

[Because that's what she needed now. Advice.]

[thebestseller]

Depends on what kind of advice. Give me a try.

Filtered to Castle

[the_effect_she_has]

So ... let's say that you loved someone. Very much. But they weren't ... around anymore, not dead just left. And you had feelings for someone else. Does that make you a horrible person? Should you ignore the feelings or try to do something?

Filter

[thebestseller]

Oh, man. That's a really tough one, isn't it?

[There's a long pause before he replies as he considers it.]

I don't think it makes you a bad person, no- just a person. If you don't know when you're going to see the person you loved any more... or if they'll even remember you when they get back here... is there really any point in waiting for them and not trying to seek happiness in the meantime? That's my take on it.

Re: Filter

[the_effect_she_has]

[She bit her bottom lip, pulling her knees up to her chest.] Do you think that person's friends would forgive you? For having these ... these feelings?

[thebestseller]

For having the feelings? Definitely. I think a lot of people would understand that... sometimes circumstances change, and it doesn't mean your feelings for the one you lost are gone, but you're letting someone else in.

[babyaliendaddy]

I hope you're right, Mr. Castle. Because I've always been wrong, about these sorts of things.

[the_effect_she_has]

I hope you're right, Mr. Castle. Because I've always been wrong, about these sorts of things.

Dictated

[putuporshutup]

Hey, me too. Here's hoping we can break the weird costume streak, that could get weird on the job.

[thebestseller]

I'll drink to that.

[putuporshutup]

Well then, cheers!

[thebestseller]

Cheers.

[dog_eat_dog]

I'm not much of a storyteller, but I have been meaning to check this place out.

[thebestseller]

Then swing on by. Wishing for booze is the best thing.

[dog_eat_dog]

I'll be down soon, then.

You know, where I'm from, drinking is technically illegal. No bars. None worth going to, anyway.

[thebestseller]

Really, now? Prohibition or something else?

[dog_eat_dog]

[Tess doesn't reply, on her way down to the Death Match. She's there not long after, a skinny woman with dark hair and sharp eyes, dressed in a simple t-shirt and jeans. With three weeks in Paradisa under her belt, she looks less starved, but there's still a few scabs on her face that are healing over. No make-up.

She drops her bag by a bar stool and slides up onto one. She can only assume the handsome fellow there is the bartender she spoke to.]

Prohibition, yeah. I'd say it'd be nice if they had learned from the 30s, but this is military rule. It's a whole new ball game.

[She puts her hand out across the bar to shake.]

I'm Tess.

[thebestseller]

[Castle returns the handshake, feeling a small twinge of pity at the woman's appearance- she seemed a little skinny and appeared to have been through the wringer physically. However, her handshake seems plenty strong.

He then winces.]

Oh, ouch. Let me guess- they kept all the best stuff for themselves?

[dog_eat_dog]

[Tess's smirk grows a little smug.]

Nope. They're as dry as the rest of the quarantine zones, unless they're buying from the black market. Mostly just moonshine and bathtub crap, but when people buy from me, then they're getting the good stuff. I only deal in vintage, bottles from before alcohol was something you had to make yourself.

[bronwe]

How is the ale?

[thebestseller]

Pretty good so far- and there's a nice variety.

[bronwe]

What sort of variety?

[thebestseller]

Pretty much anything you can wish up, friend. Ale, vodka, whatever your pleasure.

[bronwe]

[ He laughs, as if he forgot about the castle. ]

No home brew?

[thebestseller]

... home brew, eh? Now there's an idea... never made my own beer before, but it would be a nice hobby.