tampered | ongoing; open

ongoing; open

When; during the All That Jazz curse
Rating; PG to start; may increase with comments
Characters; OPEN
Summary; Prohibition is for other people, not us.
Log;

You've probably walked by this shop a thousand times before and never taken a look. There's no sign and it hardly looks open, but it is, trust me, and if you were to wander up to the door in curiousity, you'd be able to go inside.

The counter girl is friendly, sweet, and innocent-seeming-- she will smile at you and show you the antiques. But if she isn't there, you might be greeted by the owner-- a tall, dark-haired woman who dresses like she belongs in the caberet, not like a businesswoman.

But if you know her well, or have spoken to the right people, then maybe you can find the back door to this "antique shop." In the speakeasy below, alcohol flows freely (courtesy of the quiet bartender), the atmosphere is smoky, and everyone is happy. Well, everyone is drunk, anyway, which is nearly as good, in Yuuko's opinion.

There is a certain policeman always poking his nose into things, but so far, secrets are safe.

And if you're looking for a good time, this is the place to be.

[ooc: Feel free to start threads in the antique shop, in the bar, doing whatever with the exception of no police raids, please. This post is open to any and all, whether you've met any of the mentioned characters or not. Please mark threads as closed or open; if you want Yuuko specifically please feel free to page her in the subject line of your comment.]

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Just an ordinary business day... That's bad news.

In times like this the blue-haired girl who stands absentmindedly by the bar almost wishes trouble would come knocking on their door, for one. Dealing with boredom irks her more than having to fend off disrespectful drunkards or people with noses too long for their own good.

It's not for easiness that she abandoned a life of luxury and comfort at dad's estate to come under Yuuko's wing and make a living out of the illicit. No, what Umi looks for is a thrill, and usually being an enforcer for the lady in question's business provides.

At first sight she's as deceptive as the shop's front itself: your rich teenage girl, impeccably dressed in expensive clothing. Many make the sore mistake of underestimating her. But the retractile short swords cleverly hidden inside her designer purse make that a mistake people commit just once. Yes, Umi prefers blades to bullets, and has many times proved she's as deadly with those as to make up for the disadvantage. It's just her coworker's constant concern -- she swears Clef can be as fatherly as dad sometimes -- what makes her carry a gun secretly holstered against her side.

Today she just stands there watching the usual crowd gulp down their drinks. Hopefully something will happen. Otherwise the place will really start getting the vibes of an antique shop.

Edited 2010-03-12 21:13 (UTC)

There is a certain white-clad gentleman who frequents the front part of the shop, at least when it's otherwise empty. He doesn't go into the back much; too noisy and drunk in there. Out here, however, it is nice and quiet and he can sit by the door to the back room, reading a book and generally looking as though he wasn't secretly watching everyone who passed through for that little telltale inconsistency in the fabric at the chest or just under the coat that signaled a weapon. It wasn't like Umi couldn't handle it if something happened, but he'd rather she was the only one in there who was armed.

Today was not one of those days, however. He stepped into the shop just after dawn - it would have to be open at this hour, of course, because there was no other way to get to the bar down below - lit a cigarette, and just. Stood there and seethed.

What was this, Monday?

"Umi, you look almost bored!"

Yuuko is grinning, leaning against the bar as if she owns it (since, well, she does). It's hard to picture the mistress of this establishment as ever being bored. Even when the usual crowd is around, she finds something to do, whether that's cheat blatantly at pool (and who would call her on it?) or drink until sobriety seems like a long-lost dream.

And sometimes, it means teasing her help.

Clef might be surprised to see Yuuko awake at this hour, but perhaps less surprised if he knew she'd simply been drinking since midnight and hadn't stopped yet. She seemed almost surprised by the early morning glow outside the window when she stepped out of the back, shutting the door firmly against the revels still going on there.

"Morning, Sunshine," she said, somehow managing not to stumble as she made her way toward the shop's counter. (Perhaps she wasn't as drunk as her patrons assumed-- after all, one did have to stay regrettably sharp in this business.)

Clef wanders in, slowly and deliberately making his way up to the bar as though not in any hurry. Once there, he simply looks Umi up and down like. Really, what's a girl like you doing in a place like this?

Except he knows what she's doing. It's the fact that she's dressed like that anyway that gets to him.

"You're looking for trouble."

"Try it without the 'almost', boss." Though chatting is as good a solution to that as any.

Umi nods at the barman and comes stand beside the mistress of the establishment, wearing with a little, crooked grin: one that contradicts her prissy girl looks quite strongly.

She's respectful despite her apparent nonchalance: she owes Yuuko the chance to live a life different than the one that truly bores her. "Do you think there'll be any deliveries today that need supervision? I hear Clef and his partner have everything covered on their own."

Aw, she gets that look a lot. Daily, in quite a fact. To the point she can translate from silent language without effort. Sometimes it amuses her, sometimes it just ticks her off -- everyone says her temper will be the death of her in this business one day.

But when it comes to the one who's been such a mentor figure to her, Umi understands it's but true affinity behind it. She smiles. Her own expression's just screaming 'That goes without saying'. But instead she flicks her hair and replies. "Only if trouble comes looking for me! Besides I saw today's schedule."

Her smile turns into a grin, though it's still very fond. "You're going out with Ascot for a drive, right?"

Edited 2010-03-12 22:06 (UTC)

Yuuko waves a hand lazily. "I sent them out on the early shift. We might have something later if one of my contacts comes through." Her grin is almost feral. "How do you feel about the docks? There's a shipment of "medicinal" alcohol coming in that might benefit from nonmedical use."

And then she throws her head back and laughs. "It will certainly make me feel better!"

"Everyone has a right to their... medicine. Really. I can only only feel like we're doing the city a favor!" Umi laughs along. This is what brought her here in the first place. This desire to laugh off the stupid rules and just seize her own day.

Looks like business won't be as slow today as she feared. Stand here and something may come up, she'd thought. Now here you have it! "Besides the docks sound like my kind of area. You know I feel at ease by the sea."

Ascot arrives, looking nervous like he usually did. However he spots Umi at the bar, and his nerves seem to settle somewhat. He hadn't been working under Yuuko for very long, and therefore hadn't gotten to know anyone very well, but he'd liked Umi from the start. Of course it probably helped that she was the one getting him out of trouble; which he got into far too often.

He couldn't even begin to guess what had brought him to be a runner for Yuuko in the first place. It was dangerous, it was illegal, it was everything he wasn't, but really there wasn't much else for him to do. He'd plan to quit after making some good money, but seeing Umi there was enough to make him think twice about that.

Carefully and quietly he approached Umi. "H-hello Miss Umi."

Speaking of being at the bar, this bartender is polishing a glass, eyebrow raised.

"Bored again?" Because really, this probably isn't a new occurrence.

So you're sitting at the bar. So you want a drink. After all, what else is a speakeasy for, then for alcohol. And who was Doumeki one to deny that request, being the bartender he was.

Right now, he's behind the bar, polishing a cup. So come in, sit down. Maybe you've spoken to him before. Perhaps even poured out your day's woes while he listens, silently. Maybe you haven't spoken to him at all, other than a 'Whisky on the rocks, bub.' Either way, you can tell he's a man of few words. But don't let that scare you. Why not have a seat? Order a drink. Make yourself comfortable.

Edited 2010-03-13 00:58 (UTC)

...Well, look here. Her favorite person in the business!

Umi's bored demeanor changed entirely, her face lit up by an impish smile at the arrival of the youngest runner for the place. She'd taken a deep liking for Ascot from the very beginning and, truth be told, she enjoyed seeing him blush and being generally adorable. It made the former rich girl wonder what exactly had gotten him there in the first place. Perhaps he was a runaway like her.

"How's it going, Ascot? Busy schedule today?" She inquired in a singsong tone, making room for him where she stood. Things were already looking up, it seemed! First an assignment at the docks and now she'd gotten to see her cutest coworker.

It's not. It's in fact very frequent when it comes to this spoiled brat made enforcer. Umi makes a face that's more eloquent than any answer she can give.

"Can you believe that?" She sighs. "Days when things are slow are the worst."

"Ah, well there's a delivery today..." he answered nervously. "I'm going with Miss Presea and Mr. Clef.

What about you?"

"Heard of that one! Clef's is really bad form, monopolizing you like that!" Her tone was teasing and flirty. But there was as much truth in those words as could be.

If she were to have it her way all of Ascot's assignments would be for her to tag along. "Sounds like I'm going to the docks tonight. I was hoping you'd come with me! But it's not as if we want to overwork you, now is it."

"When are you supposed to go?" he asked. A chance to spend more time with Umi? Yeah, he'd leap for that in a heartbeat. "I-I don't mind coming if it doesn't interfere with my job with Mister Clef..."

"Late, possibly midnight or so. You know how these things go..." She wondered, almost to herself. For one so seemingly carefree and laidback, Yuuko was extremely well-organized when it came to business. Umi knew she'd have a schedule in her hands before midday or earlier.

"But hey." She put her hands on her hips. "Like I said, don't you think that'll be too much for a single workday? I won't forgive myself if my favorite coworker ends up stressed because of me!"

"N-not at all! I don't mind, really!" he insisted, perhaps a bit too eagerly. "I like doing jobs with you!" His face becomes bright red at the realization that he just said that out loud.

Edited 2010-03-13 01:50 (UTC)

...And Umi's grin grows large enough to fit her whole face.

"I gotta say it's mutual!" That's a perfectly honest answer. As long as Ascot doesn't get nervous enough to put himself in danger, she'll always be one to want to work beside him. Teasing aside, there's true affection behind Umi's intentions. She feels she can make sure her friend's okay if she tags along for the job. "Okay, then." She raises a finger. "But on one condition."

"Sure, name it!" he nodded, a relieved smile on his face. He didn't know why, since he screwed up so often, but Umi always seemed happy to have him around. That always made him grateful to know her.

"That you take your time off to have a nice long rest in between jobs. That's what." She nodded with utter determination, making it quite clear there'd be no gainsaying her on this. "And by nice long rest I mean exactly what it sounds like! Helps keep you sharp in case things go iffy."

"Ah...right!" He nods again, enthusiastically. "I can do that, no problem. I can really come then?"

"First we have to check with the boss. But I doubt she'll have any objections." She gives him a little wink. "I think she'll commend your enthusiasm for the job."

"R-right. Of course," he agreed, but was immediately hesitant about it all. He was more than a little intimidated by Yuuko. He'd never been very good with women to begin with, but Yuuko was a whole different story.

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