A Bar, Boston, Tuesday

[smilestopscars]

In the end, Ezra had decided to drag Dante out to a bar. Not one of the Coterie ones, but still one that he'd frequented sometimes, looking to have a good time. It wasn't as high-end as, say, something within the Purgatory complex, but it was still several steps up from something like that dive he'd found Dante performing at earlier this year.

Funnily enough, this one seemed to have an open mic night going on. Or, would have - there was a flier advertising it at the door, but they were a little early. Those proceedings had not started yet as they walked in.

"It's not a bunny party," Ezra noted, glancing back at Dante with a little smirk, "but I think it works."

[ooc: NFB, for the guy.]

Comments

[rebelseekspizza]

"Nice," Dante said, approval in his voice as well as on his face. He looked relaxed; probably more relaxed than he'd been around Ezra at any point prior to last month.

He stuck his hands in the pockets of his violently red coat. "Thought picking something out was work?" he added, teasing.

[smilestopscars]

"I come here often enough that it doesn't really count," Ezra retorted, heading for the bar. "When you can go by instinct, it's not work."

He had picked this place specifically, of course. But he wasn't going to say that.

[rebelseekspizza]

"Uh huh," Dante said. He wandered after Ezra, still amused. "They do cocktails?"

[smilestopscars]

"Of course. I'm not that kind of animal."

He had some class! And/or drink preferences.

[rebelseekspizza]

"Then get me something with strawberry in it," Dante said, leaning back against the bar when they got there. What? He wanted to get a good look at the place.

[smilestopscars]

It looked a lot like Ezra, really. Not dressed-to-the-nines Ezra, but the version that was a step or two more towards comfort than towards style over anything else. Still effortlessly cool, but with warm undertones.

And while Dante was getting acquainted, Ezra had a talk with the bartender - easy, familiar flirtatiousness included - about the state of the bar's strawberry stock. The end result was two Bloodhounds, one of which Ezra was holding out to Dante.

"There you go."

[rebelseekspizza]

"Oh nice," Dante said, accepting the glass. ('Nice' was the word of the evening, apparently.) He took a sip right away, tilting his head as he swallowed. "... Huh. Did you just go for one of the fancy ones?"

[smilestopscars]

"Not specifically," Ezra replied, shrugging as he took a sip from his own glass. "But you have to admit, expecting not-fancy from me..."

He trailed off because he felt his point was already clear.

[rebelseekspizza]

"Eh, could be fancy, could be half-assed," Dante said, wagging his hand. "But I appreciate the fancy coming out to play tonight."

He did. Including Ezra not-picking a place that looked like it was in Dante's wheelhouse.

[smilestopscars]

Ezra could be considerate, especially when he thought he could get away with not too much attention being drawn to it.

He shrugged and took another sip. "Well, it's the evening before a holiday, so fancy goes with that, kind of."

[rebelseekspizza]

"You have any idea what kinda people show up to the open mic out here?" Dante asked.

He sipped his drink again. He liked it.

[smilestopscars]

"Eclectic mix, from what I've seen." He eyed the direction of the stage idly. "The occasional poet, but mostly musicians of different styles."

There was a piano and a guitar on the stage, in fact. Couldn't expect everyone to bring their own.

"From the romantic to the angry." Beat. "Actually, that goes for the poets, too."

[rebelseekspizza]

"Have you ever gone on stage to do anything?" Dante asked casually. "Not here in particular, I mean. Anywhere."

[smilestopscars]

"I've stripped very tastefully at more than one bar, does that count?"

It sounded like a joke. But of course it wasn't.

[rebelseekspizza]

"Yeah," Dante said. After considering it, anyway. "Especially if there's video."

[smilestopscars]

Ezra's smirk was very, very light. Playful, more than anything else.

"Ava might have some archived away somewhere."

[rebelseekspizza]

"Long live the mobile phone," Dante joked, mouth curving. "... It's been a while since I played in public." Beat. "Probably feels longer than it's been."

A lot had happened.

[smilestopscars]

"Darling, this year has lasted about the length of three average ones."

Which was to say that he agreed. He knew their chance encounter at a bar had happened this year, but it also seemed like a very long time ago.

[rebelseekspizza]

"It has, right?" Dante said wryly. "January feels like it happened in like, 2015, fuck. Gotta hope the universe leaves us alone for the rest of the year."

[smilestopscars]

Ezra's quiet snort probably said well enough what he thought about that.

But what he actually said was, "Yes, hopefully."

[rebelseekspizza]

Dante leaned a little in his direction, and slid an idle arm over his shoulders. "So are you gonna heckle me if I get up there later?"

[smilestopscars]

Ezra leaned into it. Subtly getting just that fraction more comfortable.

"Well, I mean, someone should be hollering at you to take your shirt off."

[rebelseekspizza]

"Just making sure everyone has a good time, huh?" Dante said, oh so seriously.

[smilestopscars]

"Someone has to."

And Ezra was known for making those kinds of sacrifices.

[rebelseekspizza]

Dante pulled him closer for a moment, something like a hug, maybe, before he let go. "You know, I don't think I've ever asked you what kind of music you like," he mused.