The Grand Opening of Merlotte's Bar & Grill

[shifting]

WHO: Sam Merlotte and hopefully a whole mess of imPorts!
WHERE: Merlotte's Bar & Grill, De Chima
WHEN: Mid-December
WHAT: After much anticipation, some contracting woes, a failed election bid and one super sweet cash infusion, Merlotte's is ready to have its opening night. Let's mingle, y'all.
WARNINGS: n/a

[the only upside to losing an election was more time to focus on getting his bar ready and opened. Time it turned out he needed, as contractor setbacks and a wrong food order pushed the opening day back a few precious weeks. But tonight's the night - the bar is stocked, wood polished, lights lit, and Sam himself is cleaned-up in a nice shirt and jeans, ready to greet what he hopes is a good and hungry crowd. He's impressed himself with how good the place looks, a testament to what one can do with the backing of a generous investor.

The menu is Southern comfort pub food, with a smattering of Louisiana-particular dishes intended to excite: boudin and rice for one, shrimp gumbo for another, and beignets just for this month. Who doesn't love pastries around the holidays? The bar, the restaurant's obvious main feature, is wide and well-stocked, with De Chima Vineyards the house wine of choice, five local drafts on tap, and a wall of shining liquor bottles. A large chalk board proudly proclaims the shot special of the evening:

A Chill Ton
– 1/2 oz. Goldschlager
– 1/2 oz. Baileys
– 1 splash of Bacardi 151
– a cinnamon rim, ignited with a match

"Sure to fire up its drinkers and leave them with a headache, this blow-hard shot goes down like a bitch."
Everyone walking through the doors will get to enjoy special discounted prices this evening, and imPorts in particular get one free drink. The pool table and dart board in the corner are sure to see some use, a DJ rented for the evening has set up karaoke for the more adventurous, and those looking to enjoy a quieter night can enjoy the fire pits crackling away on the patio. Sam himself will be found chatting up everyone he can, at times helping to serve drinks and run food, but otherwise eager to mingle and get feedback from his guests. This has been a long-time coming, and he finally both looks and feels like he's in his element.]

Comments

[purple_reign]

[If they take any special meaning from the nod, they certainly don't show it. Inanna just hums thoughtfully at the question, head tilted to mull it over.]

I believe so... Briefly, at least. He seemed rather shy.

[slightlyoffchilt]

He can be. [Chilton's analysis: incoming.] But I think that is more due to his... Discordant social cues. He does not clock high on empathy. But sympathy? And compassion? Pablo demonstrates unusually high capability in both category.

The type of man who loves people even if he doesn't really... Align with them. In terms of practicality. Nevertheless -- very artistic individual.

[purple_reign]

[Huh. That certainly is an analysis. Even Inanna can't help but notice how observant it is, head tilted curiously as Chilton lays it out.]

I see... That's an interesting take on him, but I don't know him well enough to agree or disagree. [They pause to take a sip of their drink.] But it sounds like you know him well. Is he a friend of yours?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Not -- I do not think I have known him long enough to consider him as a friend, no. [It is something of a bashful admittance; Chilton normally leaps at the chance to call someone his confidante, lonely thing that he is, but it would be outright unseemly to simply lie about it.] We have chatted a few times, however.

I, ah, tend to analyze. Regardless.

[The elephant in the room.]

[purple_reign]

A familiar acquaintance, then. [It's a relationship Inanna can understand well enough. For as fond as they are of people in general, most of their own relationships fit neatly into that category of distant friendliness. Letting people closer than that takes someone truly exceptional.]

Hm... You sound like someone with a lot of...experience with it. —Analyzing people. Did you study psychology?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I did, in fact. [Confirmed Chilton, easing into the familiar lexicon. He was so used to the habitual explanation of psychology to otherworldly figures that Inanna already knowing the context was a relief.]

I am a psychiatrist. [Hesitantly:] Went to Harvard.

[purple_reign]

[Thankfully all of the gods are quite familiar with the benefits of mental health treatment. Inanna even perks up at the college's name, one of the few that's recognizable even to a foreigner.]

Oh, that's an impressive alma mater, isn't it? It's always getting mentioned in shows and movies.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Objectively the best Ivy League university that this country has to offer. [Said Chilton, clearly biased in his appraisal. But he was often biased, with little care for the impression that might leave.]

Needless to say, I am equipped for any psychiatric aid you might be interested it.

[A flutter of eyes -- it was an offer for his services. Chilton always hungered for the more illustrious minds.]

[purple_reign]

[There's a definite flicker of interest in Inanna's eyes. They had made a few promises to find someone. It was about time to actually follow through on those.]

Really? What sort of...issues do you specialize in? I'm sure it must be varied if you've been treating imPorts.

[slightlyoffchilt]

You are correct -- it is rather varied now. But I used to treat more abnormal psychological ailments, and of course all clusters of personality disorders.

[But especially narcissism and BPD. Those tended to cycle through his specific hospital more than not.]

ImPorts tend to have anxiety, or mood disorders. Much like civilians, in fact. But now and again -- well! You are a goddess, you're no stranger to the unique.

[And with a smile, he handed over a navy blue business card with golden ink print: Doctor Frederick Chilton, followed by his denoted medical degrees.]

Used to be in Heropa, but I prefer Maurtia Falls.

[purple_reign]

[Inanna takes the card and glance briefly at the degrees listed, and then their mouth quirks in an expression of approval as they tuck the card away in their pocket.]

Maurtia Falls? Convenient. I spend most of my time up there myself. Maybe I'll pay you a visit.

[slightlyoffchilt]

Please do. I have no doubt I could fit you in.

[And Chilton's smile was sincere, as it could have only been sincere in this context -- after all, Inanna was the goddess that everyone loved. And there was good reason for that.]