Smoke and blizzard

One hell of a blizzard.

What was it, 40 centimeters of snow in the past day?

Leaning against the wall of the populated bar, he flicks his gaze down to the concrete he stands upon. Felt like the underworld had finally frozen over, the wind nipping at his face at every opportunity. Marc grunts quietly and quickly lowers his head at the next breeze, hat tipping over to cover his eyes.

His only comfort was the radiant warmth from his cigarette that poked out from his lips. He almost doesn't want to puff it, savour the taste and warmth longer. Was the only reason he didn't go inside yet: needed to get his fix.

You asked him, he'd tell you there's a lot worse he could be addicted to. A diet of caffeine, cigarettes and booze ain't so bad.

Off the job... some nice time to himself. He'd been rotting in his apartment for too long, needed to stretch out his legs. Metaphorically, anyways.

He opens his eyes back up, attempting to bundle himself back up in his old, leathery coat to shield himself from the cold. Thing hardly even closed up properly anymore... most of the buttons fell off. He finally takes that last, sweet drag from his cancer stick, before flicking it off into the icy sidewalk below. His addictions will kill him, but that's future Marc's problem.

As he approaches the door and opens it, the freezing wind pulls in with him. A flurry of snow rains through the door and a gust fills the room: something that unfortunately happened pretty much every time a new patron came in. Marc stays quiet, eyeing the other people who turn to look at him cautiously as he slowly walks to the bar counter.

Much akin to a mummy, Jade was wrapped in layers of warmth, whether that be blankets or the very hard to find jackets for very large and long snakes.

Still within this sarcophagus of comf, she still was freezing, teeth chattering and whole scaly body shaking. So when she saw the door she sighed as her warm saviour was ahead of her.

She had wanted to socialise, as well as get some wild snacks, but the blizzard surprised her. Of course her prey hid from the cold but at least one goal could be reached today.

She slowly slid open the door, slithering through the bar, not unknowing of the glances of a few patrons. She arrived at the bar counter, glancing at and greeting the last guy who had obviously came before her, considering tge cold state they were in.

"Howdy! Quite the blizz there hun?" In her slightly southern drawl.

Taus hated this weather. Her already bad vision was poorer, and the snow made it harder for her to figure out her surroundings. A confusing, cold mess, and she absolutely hated it. The snow melted on her skin, and then evaporated soon after, leaving her steaming in the snow as she made her way forward towards the light of the bar. The few people scampering in helped her find her way to such a place, as she had a keen eye for the living.

She swung the door open with such a force, almost tearing it off, and ducked under, shutting it behind her. She seemed to quickly appreciate the warmth the Bar provided though, her scowling face softening quickly. Her horns, now warming, lit aflame once again like tiny matches.

Glancing around, she squinted her eyes and seemed to take a moment before she grabbed a chair and pulled it from it's table, sitting down in it. It creaked under her weight, threatening to break.

....

And now she had some time to inspect the few souls that were inside.

Standing at the counter, Léo yawned, wiping glasses and checking the patrons to make sure everything was alright, waving with tired eyes to people entering the place. Sure appreciated the business, others bars must've been closed or something... there actually was a refrigerator with assorted soft drinks and water. Though Léo wouldn't make someone pay for water if they were polite about it.

He himself took a swig of tequila, straight from the bottle, he was a hard man to intoxicate, that much was for certain. The warmth of the bar was very comfortable for him, he quite enjoyed it!

After his drink, he stood at the counter, ready to tend to whoever was about to order. The crowd eventually thinned by a decend margin, making the body heat problem practically disappear for those who were warm blooded. Less strain on the ears as well, honestly.

The man is startled by the appearance of Jade, his eyes widening under the shaded brim of his mangled hat. Her accent and polite introduction is familiar, but her appearance so... Strange. Not remotely human. Despite his good 35 years on this planet he kept getting surprised by the forms of sentient life. She was literally just a gigantic snake.

His eyelids lower and his brows furrow into his naturally grumpy expression, looking at the bartender. Once again some sort of reptile, though at least this one stood on 2 legs.

He didn't hate non humans, course not. Though they uh... were kinda weird. Kinda terrifying, even.

"Been in worse," he replies, voice fairly low. He had no interest in drawing a lot of attention to himself and purposely attempts to close himself off. He's even not bothering to face Jade properly, knees pointed just the slightest bit away from her. Not a conscious decision.

He taps the counter to catch Léo's attention, "Get me somethin' warm, and alcoholic. Don't care what."

As he watches the gator move, he struggles to think of something to say. He didn't really want to talk about anything revealing or personal...

"... You ain't from around here, are you?" he eventually asks the serpent.

Jade had noted the rather loud arrival of Taus, noting that she definitely felt the cold I feel ya sister still somewhat shivering under layers and inside, then turned her head back to the rather grumpy looking man who seemed quiet, obviously not the most open person. Though she really could not judge much.

The question did surprise her, as she never really thought of her birthplace. Somewhat fond memories arose. She also motioned to the bartender.

"I will have the hottest Irish tea, if ya serve it hun of course. "

She turns her head back to the man

"Why, yes I am not! Guess my accent is smidge more recognizable than I thought, i-i don't really go outside my place y'know,heheh.. " trailing off with an awkward laughter. Though still smiling at the man as her forked tongue poked out, tasting the mixed alcoholic scents.

Marc outright laughs a little: it was quiet but harsh, the years worth of constant smoking had clearly done some damage to him. Wheezy, guttural. He waves it off and leans back, his smile showing off his teeth. Normal human shaped, just stained.

The air around the man tasted off: of cigarette cartridges, oily lighters, skunky beer. Though Marc is quick to notice the tongue flicker, his expression doesn't change but he immediately starts to wonder about it. Is she tasting me?

He doesn't let it bother him, shrugging it off as he replies. "Don't sound like you're from here. Accent ain't the norm here, for sure."

He's turned to Jade more though at least, she had captured his attention further in a much more positive light. She seemed... friendly. Open. Maybe he won't need his guard up so heavily. We'll see.

He looks away to find the bartender, starting to sweat a little as he realizes he doesn't exactly know what to talk about.

"... Don't like booze?" he eventually asks Jade.

Léo was mostly looking at his phone to find the difference between conventional tea and Irish tea, then heating it up and making sure it was as high quality and delicious as possible for the snake requesting it, he soon returned with the tea for Jade, placing it gently in front of her, the pouring a shot of whiskey in a glass for Marc, leaving the bottle as he prepared to serve more beverages. Learn something new every day, it seemed! He took a quick peek at the patrons in the back and in the corner to see if they needed anything. Maybe! Maybe not.

"Here you are, hot Irish tea. Warm whiskey for the gentleman."

Taus stretches a bit, and then cracks her knuckles in a rather loud manner- it sounds terrible. She then glances to the bartender, and gives a simple huff of smoke. She'd barred herself from drinking alcohol, considering she created a small fire last time and caused massive damage.

Not that it really bothered her, but she'd rather not be pestered by any sort of police or court system of the upperworld. She taps her claws on the table for a moment before testing it by scraping her claws against it. It doesn't fair well.

And now I'm utterly bored.

Though, she was surprised to find a few rather innocent souls wandering. Of course nobody could be perfectly innocent- few exceptions to this rule. But some innocent mortals nonetheless, and a few particularly dubious souls too. Though to anybody, she looked as blind as could be. Eyes empty and just wandering around the room.

"Bartender," She glanced over at Leo.

"What kind of foods do you provide?"

"Ooh, I actually have a menu, if you like. I can whip up a number of things, ma'am."

He placed a menu in front of her, giving her time to see if she liked anything. It seemed he loved to cook meat in particular, though he did have salads and vegan options, just in case. Steak, hamburger, fish, tacos, menudo, enchiladas, carne guisada, chorizo, a lot to choose from. There weren't a lot of options for sides, he could make some fries, mashed potatoes, green beans, maybe rice. Though whatever was ordered was guaranteed to be piping hot when served, since the grill was in a small kitchen he had in the building behind the bar counter area. The place had many, many pictures of Colombia and flags, tropical birds painted on the walls and such, seemed he had a bit of a theme going on.

Immediately after the tongue flick she coughed once or twice. That man has certainly a strong scent, that or my time away from people just made it more potent. She then gleams at the arrival of her Irish tea, a personnel favourite of hers. She took a nice long sip from it with her tail curling round the delicate handle, which she seemed fine with despite the temperature. She placed it back delicately on the table before letting out a rather loud sigh, which she quickly blushed and covered her mouth with her tail.

"Sorry about my manners  I needed that. And to answer your question hunny, usually I am fine with alcohol, but I needed something quite hot after that blizzard, bein' cold blooded n' all, hehe.."

She paused before letting out a gasp, and inching to the man, gleaming in his face.

"We haven't even shared our names! How rude of me hun! I am Jade!"

She lifts her tail as if she wanted it shook, excited of freindly company already.

He takes the glass and nods to Léo in appreciation, immediately starting to down it. By the time he puts the whiskey down half of it is gone from the glass. Don't need water, alcohol fuels him.

He ignores Jade's sigh, largely content and honestly couldn't give less of a damn about something as simple as manners. Not something like that, anyways. The cold blooded argument made sense, hell, she was still all bundled up from being outside.

Marc wasn't expecting the sudden excitement however, immediately perking up and leaning away as she gets closer. He wasn't scared necessarily, but she was huge, he forgot snakes could move so quickly despite their appearance. He just looks back at her as she introduces herself, and then to the offered tail.

Isn't that where a snake's...

He's visibly hesitant, lifting up his hand and stopping midway as the thought crosses his mind.

He forces himself into the handshake afterwards anyways however, giving her what he would call his On The Clock Smile. The most sincerest of fake smiles, of course. His grip loose, afraid of touching her.

"U..uh... Marc. Th' name's Marc."

Taus hums, looking across the menu, bringing it real close to her face, it was... difficult to read. With a phone or tech device, she could simply make the words larger. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for things such as books or menus or signs. She brings it closer to her face with an annoyed huff of smoke again.

"Mm." She tilted her head at Leo, then to the menu again.

"I would like a steak." She folds the menu and hands it back.

"Excellent. Should be but a minute, ma'am. Oh, and you can call me Léo!"

He accepted the menu, going into the kitchen and getting the meat, cutting a rather large steak and getting to work, he put in some signature seasoning for a slight spice to it, cooking the meat medium rare and immersing himself in the art of grilling, eventually finishing up with it and putting it on a clean platter, bringing it back to the demon, it came with a complimentary glass of water. ...He was trying his best guys-

The snake was none the wiser to Marc's thoughts, and simply wondered in her mind why his grip was so loose, but didn't say it so outloud. Simply commenting in her identifiable accent:

"Marc, what a lovely name there hun~ now may I ask, how's your day been? Sorry, but i-its been 'while since I stepped out in public areas... it been nice so far, you?"

Her face was still somewhat close until she scented the air again (stil quite close to Marc's face) which after a quiet pause, she looked away and  landed her eyes on the steak, making her mouth drool... a lot.

"S-steak~ oh sweetie bartender may I please order one? Sorry I am famished hun~"

She had put her tail down by now but subconsciously the tail started to wrap around the only pole near, which was unfortunately Marc's chair.

"Are you sure you want a steak, friend? I have an entire menu you can peruse at your convenience!"

Once again, menu to the rescue. He put one in front of Jade and smiled a little bit, fighting his headache with tequila. Tequila was winning, fortunately. He coughed for a moment, taking yet another look around the bar, walking over to the corner to see if the Orca needed a refill, checking on the two dragons standing in the window, smiling at them. He then walked back to the counter, taking a look at Taus and finally, back into the tequila!

He's quiet for a moment, as if trying to process everything that is happening and struggling to catch up with the reality of the situation. Listening to her, he's rather glad she is the more talkative type...

His hand is released and he's instantly thankful for it, pulling back but trying to act casual. Hard to do that though, when the person you're talking to is borderline inches away from your face. He's desperately trying to hide it but he's getting quite flustered, grunting and lowering his hat over his face to hide his blush.

What was the saying? Looking into a serpent's eyes can hypnotize you?

"Been good. Good as I can be, anyways." he answers curtly, only just stopping himself from saying I can tell you go outside as much as I do.

By the time he tilts his head up to look at her and check what she's doing, she's swiveling away to ask for steak. He can't complain... her presence when so close is unnerving.

I need a smoke.

Unfortunately he realizes he can't stand up however, Jade's tail was starting to coil around the leg of his chair, and caught one of his own leg's in the movement. There's a moment of fear, which only heightens further as the appendage climbs higher as well. Her tail starting to coil around the back of his chair, and sequentially coils around his torso unknowingly.

Her grip is powerful of course, though not bone crushing... he can still breathe, but he's clearly starting to panic over it.

"J... Jade." he struggles out quietly, flitting his startled gaze from her, to the coils, to the other people in the bar who are undoubtedly getting their interest piqued over it.

The doors to the bar had been suddenly pushed open and out from the freezing cold and snow from the outside came in a very tall, and young looking gentleman. "What a mess it is out there.." The tall fellow commented, taking off his hat and brushing away the snow. His voice was smooth and had a bit of charm to its edge.

The young man who came in was neatly dressed in a tail coat with a muted shade of purple on it's inside. Under this coat he wore a button up white dress shirt and a red tie..Or ascot , it was hard to tell as it bumped out at the end, giving him a more outward look. For pants he wore a deep muted blue and to go with it, dress hoes. The whole look made him look like one hell of a mysterious charmer. He placed his hat right back on his head, the charm clinging to the side of it waving about.

The young man seemed to have a very dark skin tone, which contrasted his white, ribbon like hair. His fingers were needles, claw like even. He made his way into the bar further and sat himself down at a seat by a window, a grin on his face and a content look in his eyes. His legs crossed, placing his elbow down on the table and his head in his hand, gazing outside for a moment before his eye moved towards the people inside the bar, possibly escaping the cold as well.

Unknowing of Marc's tight situation, a glazed eyed jade looks on the menu, all of them looking like the best meals ever for the very hungry snake, should i go for the steak? No no the fish seemmed more appatizing- but what about the enchildadas, but also... these scatter brained ideas continued until Marc's calls for her name, in which she looked back at him, seemingly snapping out of her trance, though it still had appeared across her face for a split second when looking at the man encased in the blanket encased tail.

"Yes ma- OHMYGOLLYGOODNESS!"

she quickly retracted the snaking coils from Marc's encased body, which seemingly fumble into theother pile of coils as she sparratically apologises.

"I AM SORRRY HUN I- WAS, IT WAS AH AN OLD HABIT OF M-MINE. I'm terribly sorry if i scared you, are you h-hurt, I cannot beleive i did that, i only really become like that once in a voracious mood ysee and i was just e enamored by the menu, which is not anexcuseiknow!so i am..."

As she repeatedly apologised her eyes darted around the room as several eyes stared back, each time became more stuttery with the more looks she saw she had. Eventually queting down and laying her head defeatedly on the table with her tail covering her eyes, letting out noises of embarrassment next to the no longer trapped Marc. With her listing one thing in her mind.

At least...i was paying attention to the menu when in that trance, not..him

As the serpent pulls her sinewy body away from him he gasps, clutching his fingers into the bottom of the seat he's on. His chair twirls twice, leaning back on one leg before coming to a halt with a wooden sounding clunk, facing Jade just as he did earlier, frozen stiff the entire time. When Marc's world stops moving and he looks down to see no tail wrapped around him snugly, and Jade is profusely apologizing to him- he hardly catches any of it in his shock.

The freedom of a properly expanding chest graces him however, and as he stares at her in what could be described as mute horror, he finally utters a deep sigh.

Old habit? Don't ask about it.

Marc is all too aware of the glances they get as well, and sinks deeper into his chair as his hat falls lower. it wasn't quite as embarrassing for him at least, but...

Marc, without looking, stiffly taps his finger onto the bar counter and calls "Bartender. Get us 2 more glasses of warm whiskey," as he grabs and finishes off his first.

"Don't uh... don't worry about it," he mutters quietly back to Jade, eyeing the well dressed man who just came in underneath his fedora.

"Drink's on me, doll.

We both need it."

Mister, as he likes to go by, glanced over at the two. The same old smile sat on his face as he watched for a moment, his eyes hidden by the shade of his own hat. That poor snake...Oh he'd love to come up and comfort her but it looked like Marc had taken care of that.

Ooh, but sociable Mister couldn't help himself!

"Everything alright over there?" He raised his head to them, lowering his arm and gently tapping the table with his claws. So curious, yes indeed.

Léo reached behind him and retrieved another bottle of warm whiskey, getting another glass for his friend who currently didn't have one, filling both of them and just shotgunning the rest of the tequila bottle he had, opening another and clearing his throat a little bit.

"Muy bien."

Still under her tail sulking from the embarrassment, she momentarily looks up to see the whisky in front of her once Marc had ordered i. Her blush eases off ans she smiles somewhat

"Th-thanks hun, no really" and took a small sip of it, to give some liquid courage as it were. She then turned her attention to the tail coated man whom had asked if everyone was alright, she lifted her head abit more while shifting the fabrics that covered her.

"Its ummm.. goin fine, uh, hun. Mind me askin your name, new sir?"

Misters small smile widened as he raised his head a bit, his eyes glistening in the light. "My name? I do not have one!" He chirped with such excitement. His hands gently, with not a sound clasped together on the table. "Give me a name, dear~" He did not stand nor make a move closer towards Jade and her fellow fedora friend, continuing to stay situated where he was. "Any at all!"

Marc watches the 2 interact quietly, eyes underneath his hat in a half-assed attempt to obscure his face. He also didn't want anyone to know where he was looking, he knew people didn't take kindly to being eavesdropped on or stared at.

He continues to face Jade and the mysterious man, just slightly turning his head to glance at Léo and what he was doing. Alcoholic bartender?

He lets out a soft "heh" towards the snake's gratitude though, at least she was genuine about everything. Not something you saw everyday, huh? Someone who ain't a liar or a scoundrel? Maybe that was just his own conscious cutting in.

Amidst his brooding something stands out to him that was said though, and he clearly, if gutturally suggests "How about Tall, Dark and Handsome?"

Mister looked to Marc, giggling. "Oh you~" He giggled at what Marc had described him as. "I don't think I'm handsome but thank you! Are you sure that's a name you want to use? It's quite long. If you have no ideas you can just call me Mister! That's a popular name with me." His comment was both aimed at Jade and Marc. "I suppose I should return the compliment..Hmm...You both do look very nice today! And might I say Jade you have a beautiful name!" What kind hearted young man...Wait, how did he know Jade's name? Jade hadn't said her name yet, nor anyone around her since this mysterious, and dapper man entered the bar.

Jade was mostly oblivion to what Mister was saying, simply silently sipping some warm whisky to ease her embarrassment.

Until he mentioned her name, perking her up to what he had said. I didn't tell him my name?...The sweet tone...could he be from their?....Oh please no.. while it sent a sweatband down her cheek aswell as a blush. But noted that it seemed more introductory than recalling, yet she did not say her name? She lifted from her covered face to look at both at Marc and raise eye before looking at the other man.

"Heheh.. thanks hun.. though, I ain sure where I said my name nor any hunnie here mention it?"

The look she gave was less accusatory and more one of curiosity at Mister.

Leaning as far as he possibly can in his chair until his upper back is practically touching the seat of it, the shadowed man starts to lift up a finger in reply as he raises his glass. The whiskey must have gone down the wrong way however, as it immediately sends the man into a loud fit. Hacking up spittle and drink alike, the extensive damage to his lungs catches up to him in that moment, rocketed upright to cough it all out.

Finally though he collapses back into his chair, pressing his knees together and grimacing audibly.

His voice, hoarse as ever, croaks: "... Was just gonna say, I did say it. Said her name."

His bright eyes now visible under his hat, he looks drained or exhausted. "... What kinda name is Mister anyhow? Ain't no one ever give you a real name before? Given yourself one?"

"Oh I think it's more fun letting people choose a name for me then giving myself one!" Mister chirped, beginning to stand. He was going to explain how he did know Jades name but...Marc mentioning he did say her name made him a bit relieved he didn't have explain himself..Not yet. He approached the two, a little limp in his step. The poor fool had forgotten to bring his cane, he didn't think such snow would come... "Mind if I sit with you two? If not it's perfectly fine, I wouldn't want to ruin whatever may be happening here." His eyes peeked form the hat, a content look on them.

oh, glad it was just that she thought releivingly, she guessed that she was not paying attention to them entering earlier. Though at the same as this she instantly looked back at Marc who was essentially coughing his lungs up. She audibly whimpered at this and lightly slicked her tail across his shoulder and rubbing it to try and simulate a shoulder rub

Once again she got quite close to his face, once again forgetting personal distance, though she had very clear geniune worry on her face as she unknowingly breathing on his face a whisky and strong tea scent.

"My god, are you ok hunnie? That looked and sound like it took 'lot out of you darling...dya need somethin'? Water, food...warmth?"

She quickly looked to Mister with a nervous smile

"Uhh, p-possibly? I am just going to get some food here in a sec possibly, hope ya don't mind" after which she looked again at Marc with the same worried expression, obviously never had dealt with a smoker, much less a heavy smoker.

The salesman coughs again, though much quieter and contained: eyeing the tail that gently pats him in friendly gesture. As he raises his face and sniffs, he immediately comes face to face with the serpent once more, and stiffens up like a wooden board. He didn't see her coming, not with the hat...

Smell of whiskey on her breath didn't bother him much, hell I'm not much better, but her consistent breaking of personal space was... alarming, to say the least. Were all snakes like this? Makes sense, their whole shtick is constriction. "Uh... 'm fine, doll. Got my drink," which he raises to sip from.

He squints at Mister however as Jade turns to him, becoming slightly defensive about that "wouldn't want to ruin everything" comment. Don't reply. He'll twist my words.

When she looks back over, he lets out a sigh, expression softening up to a less annoyed and more tired look.

"Don't gotta worry, it ain't gonna kill me," he mumbles back, trying to block out his eyes with his fedora, hoping that it would deter Jade from getting so close again. Listen, he can appreciate a gal's company, but uh... the literal clinginess is just a tad terrifying.

Mister made his way over to the other side of Marc, where he sat himself down carefully. "Oh I don't mind at all Jade, do whatever your heart pleases!" He smiled up to Jade. "I might get myself some food as well, I hadn't eaten Dinner yet...So!" He put his hands together and rested them on the table[or counter]. "Quite the snow we have outside, hm? Are you two also shielding yourselves from the storm?" He raised a brow, though ti was hard to tell under the hat.

After all the subtle hints by Marc, The large snake finally noticed and shifted her head away with a blush and awkward smile.

"Oh, sorry hun!"

She quickly changed focus to Mister behind Marc, and gave him a smile.

"I'll order in a sec, but yes hun! I was goin' on abit of a exploration of the town, but seems a caught a bad storm, which ain' the best for me due to me cold blooded nature, but seems I met some nice people here."

She then turns her head back at the menu looking it over and over again, her mouth drooling once more and more. Her tail started to constrict in the air instead of another's chair. Finally she wiped thee gloopy spit on her maw with a tissue. Raising her head to Look straight at Léoshe smiled sweetly.

"I think I would adore the steak hunniebun, I am positively starvin'~"

If any had been looking to her eyes at this moment, they would see that her eyes were seemingly changing in an almost hypnotic way, with Jade being none the wiser again, especially in such a hungry state