Two men walk into a bar

[shittybirthday]

WHO: Joel + some open starters + some closed starters
WHERE: Various!
WHEN: Throughout May
WHAT: Bar work, confrontations, and some backdated stuff.
WARNINGS: Nothing in particular but will edit if necessary!

▍DIVE BAR JOEL WORKS AT | HEROPA | OPEN

[ Joel has been pulling beers all night, thumping shots of whiskey or bourbon down on the bar in front of customers, wiping out washed beer glasses, cleaning up spills, breaking up a couple of fights by throwing the troublemakers out onto the dimly lit street… and the later the night gets, the more his patience is wearing thin.

Actually, Joel's patience had worn thin hours ago. Some drunk asshole is wailing away off-key to an 80s ballad on the karaoke machine. Some other drunk asshole is rowdily talking at the top of his voice by the pool tables. Some other drunk asshole keeps selecting Bon Jovi's Livin' On A Prayer on the bar jukebox and drunkenly playing air guitar. Not to mention the constant hubbub of noise and people. Joel is a burly, hard-assed, unfriendly-looking guy on a good day, but that's multiplied at least tenfold right now.

(ooc; Irritate Joel at the bar! Start a bar fight! Maybe your character is the asshole singing karaoke! Or keeps selecting Bon Jovi! Have at!) ]

▍BAR CLOSING TIME | HEROPA | OPEN

[ At 3AM on the dot, Joel throws everyone out. No ifs, no buts, no exceptions. No fucking patience. He shuts the front door firmly and locks it, heaving a weary, disgruntled sigh of relief. Christ, time to head home. Thank Christ he isn't on closing shift every night or he'd go insane.

After he does a quick final round of turning up all the stools, gathering together leftover dirty glasses to be stashed in the dishwasher and does a quick sweep of the floor, he shuts off all the lights, checks he's got his keys, and heads for the back entrance that leads out onto a dark back alley. The hinges squeak as he pulls the door shut behind him, and he mutters in irritation to himself at the door stubbornly refusing to lock on the first go. Old, rundown place needs goddamn maintenance, h thinks to himself. Something he'll get onto during the week.

Pocketing his keys, he turns to start towards his car - and comes to a quick stop at someone approaching him in the dark alley. Probably some drunk asshole. Joel heaves a sigh of impatience. ]

What d'you want? Bar's closed.

▍KOTETSU | SLICE TO MEET YOU, NONAH | CLOSED

[ How he got roped into this, Joel has no goddamn clue, but he's seated at one of the table in Slice To Meet You with his arms crossed defensively across his chest and a flat, aggravated death stare on his face. He's made no particular effort to dress up for the occasion, either: just jeans, a flannel shirt and boots.

It's bad enough that this place is swarming with noise and people and activity, but those goddamn animatronic things up on the stage and the distorted, slowed-down music coming from those creepy things…

Yeah, well. This so-called "date" had better hurry the hell up because Joel is about five seconds away from getting up from the table and getting the hell outta here. ]

▍CARL | XAVIER'S, HEROPA | CLOSED

[ A number of hours have passed, enough time that Jesse is finally, slowly on the mend. Enough time that Joel can leave Jesse's side without worrying out of his mind.

He's got a bit of a clearer idea of what the hell had been going through Carl's mind based on what Jesse had told him. Joel wants to hear it from Carl, though. Wants to find out exactly what the hell happened. And though he's got a better idea of what Carl had been thinking, Joel can't help being mad as hell at him. That survivor instinct of fiercely looking out for his own.

He teleports to Xavier's from the beach house; he notices, as he heads through the lobby, that the blood has been cleaned up. The whole goddamn school makes him uneasy from all the memories of Ellie this place holds, and even more so now after what happened here earlier. Joel forcibly pushes it all to the back of his mind, though, as he takes the stairs up to Rick and Carl's floor.

When he reaches their apartment, Joel pounds on the door. ]

▍JESSE | CAMPING IN THE WOODS, NORTH CAROLINA | CLOSED

[ They arrived here mid-afternoon. Joel had busied himself with setting up the camp, getting the fire pit going, organising food for dinner. Normally, once Joel is out in nature, away from people and noise, he starts to relax, especially around Jesse. Not so much this time. Joel has been mostly quiet, preoccupied.

It's evening now, the last rays of the sun long gone. Joel is crouched in front of the campfire, stirring up the embers with a stick, occasionally nudging the thick pieces of wood the fire is licking around to get some more air flowing through it, to get the fire roaring. The whole point of coming out here was to try and put what had happened behind them, just keep moving on as normal, but to Joel's irritation, his mind keeps wandering back over it all. He's been trying to block out the memory of Jesse bleeding out, trying to make himself stay focused on the fact that Jesse is fine now. It's all past them now. Except there's really a lot more bothering him on top of that.

Without really being aware of it, he heaves a deep, irritated sigh as he pushes himself to his feet. ]

Guess I'll get started on dinner. Brought some meat and… other stuff.

[ Probably the longest sentence Joel has spoken to Jesse since they arrived here. ]

Comments

[hostage]

[The tension is palpable. There's so much they need to talk about, so much they should have talked about as soon as Joel returned to this world, but Jesse's been putting off the conversation for so long that it feels impossible to start talking now. Instead, he's uncharacteristically silent. Even attempting to enjoy the peace of the woods leaves him feeling sick with guilt. He shouldn't be here. If he's not going to talk this through, what's he even doing here?]

Need help with anything?

[Jesse doesn't wait for Joel's response, already climbing off the log he'd claimed as a seat.]

[shittybirthday]

I got it.

[ Without so much as a glance at Jesse, Joel starts towards the icebox, dusting his hands off on his jeans. Jesse's silence seems to amplify everything that Joel doesn't want to think about. Part of him wishes Jesse would just carry on like he usually does because even if that would probably annoy the shit out of him... at least it would be familiar. Everything just seems different now and Joel really doesn't like it.

He crouches down in front of the food icebox and rummages through it. Not that he's that hungry but making food will keep him busy. It's gonna be awkward as hell with Jesse sitting around in silence, though, isn't it? So, he reluctantly adds in a flat tone: ]

S'pose you can get me a beer.

[hostage]

[Not much of a task, but Jesse's on it. He grabs a can from the cooler and pops it open, delivering it to Joel a second later.]

It's so different out here in the spring, ain't it? Prettier.

[Desperate small talk. But it's true. The woods are unrecognizable now that it's not the dead of winter.]

[shittybirthday]

Yeah.

[ Said in the same flat tone. He takes the beer without looking at Jesse.

But after a moment, he sighs quietly, his shoulders sagging slightly, and he repeats in a relenting: ]

Yeah. [ And then: ] Yeah, it is. Be real pretty out here come summer.

[hostage]

We're gonna need a lotta windows. Maybe just a whole wall of 'em.

[He shouldn't be talking about the house. Shouldn't be making plans. He should be cancelling every plan, and saying goodbye, and getting the hell out of here. But instead he gives Joel a strained little smile.]

[shittybirthday]

[ Joel sees the strained smile. He looks away, then silently digs out a couple of steaks and pushes back to his feet once he's shut the icebox. ]

And I s'pose you'll be bringin' Daisy along and lettin' her make herself at home out here without me knowin', too, huh?

[ And the moment that flat, curt remark is out of his mouth, he wishes he hadn't said anything. An argument is the last thing he wants. Too late now, though. He sits down heavily on the log closest to the fire and sets his beer down next to him. Goddamn it. ]

[hostage]

[Jesse looks like Joel just struck him, the smile falling from his lips. He opens his mouth to say something, then closes it again, turning away because his eyes are welling up with tears.

No, he deserved that. His hands curl into fists and he sits down again, going silent.]

[112ounces]

[ Carl's been on a terrible edge. His eyes are lit with a terrible, furious light and his lips almost drawn in a snarl, which in turn makes it look like he's sneering. Who is this banging on the door? Is it Joel? One of Jesse's friends?

At the second pound at the door, Carl reaches for a gun hidden underneath the sofa and aims it at the door. He yells, ]

You got two seconds to say your name or I'll start shooting!

[shittybirthday]

[ Ah, Jesus. Goddamn it. That at least has Joel rethinking pounding on the door again, though he presses his mouth into a tight line. ]

Don't go gettin' any stupid ideas, it's just me, Joel!

[112ounces]

[ Of course. Carl could feel a little bad for threatening him, but Carl is also flipping out a little. He unlocks the door and lets Joel in. ]

I got nothing to say.

[ What else is to say? Carl tried to kill Jesse. That's it. ]

[shittybirthday]

[ It's a tense few seconds, Joel wondering if he ought to get the hell away from the door in case Carl does decide to do something stupid. A small wave of relief hits him when he hears the door unlocking, though his expression has hardened again by the time Carl has opened the door to let him in.

Joel steps quickly inside, turning to face Carl. Carl's got nothing to say? Well, okay, fine, even though it's not fine, but he can see the kid is right on edge. Doesn't stop Joel from looking down at the kid with, well, an angry look that borders on austere fatherliness. ]

You realise how much trouble you coulda got yourself into? Pullin' that kinda stunt? Huh?

[ He sighs, then reaches out for Carl's gun. ]

Gimme that.

[112ounces]

[ It is so tempting to say, Are you saying you would've killed me? But that wouldn't help matters. Joel is Joel, and would never hurt Carl.

So he hands over the gun to Joel, butt first and safety on. There are plenty more where that came from. ]

I fought my way out of worse circumstances.

What's with you and Jesse?

[ Even if Joel might not hurt Carl doesn't mean he's on the same side as Carl. ]

[shittybirthday]

[ Joel snatches the gun from Carl. He heaves a deep sigh to contain his anger. ]

We're friends. And I know you've fought your way outta worse circumstances, but suppose somebody else had walked in on what you were doin'. Huh? Prison ain't no place for a kid.

[ Even if prison a luxury compared to the kind of places Carl and himself come from. ]

[earnedmystripes]

[How does this keep happening to him? Kotetsu has no idea. This one's not even for charity, which makes him tempted to just not show up, but he doesn't want to be an asshole to the other guy, so he reluctantly shows up at Slice To Be Here, dressed in basically his usual shirt + tie + vest combo, nothing fancy at all.

It doesn't have to be weird. They can just hang out and eat and have a good time without it having to be awkward, like that time with Clark for the charity Thanksgiving thing.

He makes his way over to the assigned table for the two of them, at which point recognition sets in.]

Oh hey, don't I know you from somewhere? You worked for Xavier's, right?

[shittybirthday]

[ Alright, he's done waiting. Joel drops his arms from his chest and goes to push his chair back to get to his feet - and stops at the person stopping at his table.

Oh. This guy. Ko... something. He heaves a sigh and nods reluctantly at the question. ]

Yeah. Joel.

[earnedmystripes]

Kotetsu.

[But he heard that sigh, so he's quick to keep talking--]

For the record, I didn't sign myself up for this blind date thing either, so you don't gotta worry about it being awkward or anything.

[In fact, Joel might notice that he wears a wedding ring on his left hand.]

But I figure--this stuff is paid for already, right? So there's no reason not to eat and have a good time. Yeah?

[shittybirthday]

[ Great. So the guy's a talker. Joel lets it happen, though, a vaguely impatient look on his face as he watches him sit at the table. Joel lets out a dry snort at what the guy says. ]

Have a good time? In a hellhole like this?

[ The creepy animatronic assholes up on the stage crank into another whirring, broken down-sounding song as if to prove Joel's point. ]

[earnedmystripes]

[Kotetsu winces slightly as the next song comes on.]

It's not....that bad.

[It's pretty bad. But he is Determined to look at the bright side of this, okay.]

They probably just--spent all their money on the food, or something. We oughta at least try it out. What kinda pizza do you like?

[shittybirthday]

[ You know what optimists are, Kotetsu? Assholes who live in delusion. Not that bad, my ass, Joel thinks to retort about the animatronic bullshit up on stage. The look he gives Kotetsu more than says that for him, though. ]

You honestly wanna sit here listenin' to that?

[ A thumb jerked in the direction of the stage. ]

divebar!

[textualhealing]

[Jeff's all for trying out different bars, especially ones that look like he won't be approached by 'fans' while he's trying to switch off and have a drink in peace. Divebars are perfect for avoiding too much attention, where everyone is too drunk to notice him, more intent on punching each other, or just straight up not giving a fuck, and Jeff's already considering just how much money he might be able to make over at the pool table the moment he walks in.

Until he sees who's serving up drinks, making the temptation to turn around and walk straight back out all too tempting. But no, he's here now and he really, really needs a drink, even more so now he's seen that face. He steps around the drunk air guitaring and slides onto stool, arms folding onto the bar as his attention locks on Joel, making himself known as he speaks.]

Couldn't stay away from this world, huh? I didn't know you were back in town.

[shittybirthday]

[ Joel is focused on wiping down the bar, wiping away people's spilled beer with a grimly focused look on his face. Only two hours to go before he can kick all these assholes out of here and close up for the night. He's made it through worse shit than this, he can make a mere two more hours in a crowded bar. That's what Joel has to keep remind himself of, anyway, though his patience really is wearing thin tonight. If that idiot plays that goddamn Bon Jovi song one more goddamn time...

So, it's with surprise when he looks up at the guy talking to him and sees who it is. Unpleasant surprise.

He looks down at the glass he's wiping out with a sardonic "heh" while shaking his head to himself. ]

You, huh? The hell're you doin' here?

[textualhealing]

[What a welcome that is. At least it's not a punch to the face or worse, which is still something Jeff half expects ever since he first met Joel. Wingers's a big guy, tall and muscled enough that most don't tend to mess with him, but Joel's on another level of intimidation. He has the size and he knows how to use it, unlike Jeff's general cluelessness on all things violent.]

Iiii live in Heropa, as you may remember. [That might actually be one of the the last places he saw Joel.]

I guess I was bound to stumble on this place eventually, considering I've tried virtually every other bar around here. Nice place you got.

[Side-eyeing the bad karaoke.]

[shittybirthday]

[ Yeah, Joel remembers, alright. The last place Joel saw this guy was in Will's place, where Jesse was being protected. That miiiiight be the only reason Joel hasn't flat-out told Winger to get the hell out. ]

It ain't mine. I just work here.

[ Curt and to the point. Finishing wiping out the glass, he thumps it down on the rack of other washed glasses and finally properly sets his attention on Winger. And noticing Winger side-eyeing the air guitarist, Joel likewise glances at him with a sigh of barely contained irritation. ]

Ignore him, he's been doin' that shit all night.

[ Said like he is thisfuckingclose to heading around the bar and dragging Air Guitarist's ass outta the joint. ]

[textualhealing]

[That tone is recognisable, if only because Jeff's reached that level of annoyance far too many times before. It's understandable too, seeing as he's half tempted to murder the guy and he's barely been here for more than a few minutes. Not exactly creating an environment where he wants to sit and drink for any extended period.]

I got this...

[He slides off his perch and steps towards karaoke guy, tapping him on the shoulder and leaning in to whisper something in his ear above all the noise of the bar. There's some vague gesturing from Jeff towards a table of girls and then karaoke guy is grinning drunkenly, abandoning his karaoke post and staggering off towards the mens room. Apparently not satisfied with that short respite from bad singing, Winger moves towards the nearest burly dude he can find, one that looks like he'd just as happily kill a guy as buy a drink for him. Another bout of gestures and quiet conversation and suddenly burly dude appears to intent on storming off to the mens room too with a fixation in his gaze that suggests he's ready to beat the shit out of someone.

Satisfied, Jeff finally slinks back to the bar and slides onto the stool, looking perfectly smug with himself. Lies solve everything, especially when used to manipulate those around him.]

Aaaaand problem solved. You're welcome. I'll take a whiskey.

[shittybirthday]

[ What the hell is he doing...? is what Joel thinks as Winger decides to take matters into his own hands. Aaaand then he sees exactly what Winger is doing when he mutters whatever the hell he's muttered to make that big, burly guy go charging off to the bathroom.

Joel braces his hands against the edge of the bar and lands a dry look on Winger when he's resuming his seat. ]

Problem solved, huh? That mean you're gonna head on into that bathroom and break up the fight that's probably gonna break out in about ten seconds?