driftfleet | 2nd Course

Who: Qing and anyone
Broadcast: Probably not
Action: FS Starlight, at one or several bars/restaurants
When: Over the course of February. He'll be working a lot, and most of the prompts are pretty general, so!

a. Waiting Tables "oh, I'll need to flash a smile"

[It's amazing, he thinks, how easy it is slipping back into a routine. Maybe not surprising since it's been his life for years now, but that's a little sad in its own measure. With dozens of restaurants and bars, it wasn't hard finding a job - especially not once he slipped into the smooth, professional smile he'd gotten so used to wearing at home.

On the ship, he's always seemed (and felt) very ordinary. There wasn't much call for the sort of finesse he shows now, weaving through crowds like they don't exist. Some have told him it's mesmerising in the past, though most of them were so drunk he never thought much of it. Regardless, he excuses himself when passing other waitstaff, often with a soft laugh and a pleasant smile on his face, flicking a pad open once he approaches the most recently-filled table.]

Hi, welcome! I'm Qing, and I'll be your server today. Can I start you off with something to drink?

b. Barside Drink Service "I'll be the super-absorbent-man"

[Bars aren't Qing's favourite place, if he's honest. People in them are rough and crude, and when you look as small and defenseless as he does he's always found it difficult to deal with rowdy customers.

Well, no. Not difficult, per se, but it leads to a lot of situations like the one he's in right now. Empty drink tray pulled to his chest, he stares up at the drunken man who's been hounding him for the better part of half an hour now. Though his smile remains, it's a little strained, posture a little more rigid than not.]

... I'm sorry, I just haven't the time. My shift is quite long and I have other duties after that... [His excuses don't appear to be working very well, and soft violet eyes flick around for an escape route.]

c. Tray Serving "And I'll need to do it with style"

[Little is more impressive about him when people see it than Qing's ability to flit between people and slide into open spaces to weave his way across a crowded floor. Something that is? His ability to carry trays and plates. It starts from the serving area, where he arranges plates artfully on several trays, tilting dishes very carefully to keep them from spilling. He doesn't think anything of it when the first is filled, moving on to a second, then a third before glancing over himself, as if making mental calculations. One plate doesn't fit on the trays and he lets it be for a moment, instead placing the first two trays across the span of one arm. The plate follows suit, resting on his shoulder, and the last tray he slips into his free right hand.

From there, it's a balancing act - spinning between waiters and waitresses, taking precariously quick movements that seem like they absolutely should spill the contents of the carefully-packed trays. They never spill, though, and soon enough he comes to a stop in front of the first of the tables the dishes will be unloaded on.

Without an arm to work with, he raises a leg - thankful for the long skirts here even more than the dim lighting - and rests the tray on it. From there, he starts calling out dishes, spinning the tray (carefully) to reach each one and sliding it into its proper spot like it's the simplest thing in the universe. With each tray that's emptied, the next tray comes to rest atop the emptied one, until the whole of the dishes are handed out.

Frequently after an arduous trip, he's stopped to talk, and he doesn't hesitate to spend a moment to speak with whomever stopped him.]

d. Tending Bar "The face I wear behind my grin"

[Despite how young he looks, Qing has had his liquor license for some time now. It's taken some getting used to on the station - there are a whole slew of new drinks to learn - but he's taken to it remarkably easy. Even his small stature doesn't seem to be a cause for trouble (though there are plenty of patrons who seem to find it funny to make him reach for top-shelf liquor - either that or they just want to try to see up his skirt).

The uniforms here are interesting, nothing like he's ever worn before, and they make him seem to almost shimmer in the cascading lights, parts of the makeup he's been given similarly luminescent. He leans forward to speak across the bar, raising his voice to be heard over the heavy thrum of the music.]

Hey there! What can I get you tonight?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Sam is not fond of bullying of any kind, really. It's been a sort of tic towards threatening that he has, spawned from his younger, squirrelier years as a runt. He knows what it's like to have to defend yourself against people who just don't know respect or how to step off. He had only briefly interacted with the kid here and there to distribute drinks to sometimes rowdy customers -- but it's just now that he's hanging back and watching with a very keen eye at the body posture. He can't tell what they're conversing about, but he's very good at reading things from a distance. And he's already been far too aware of the babbling drunk annoying the rest of the bar.

He feigns wiping down a table before approaching from behind, just to Qing's left. His tone is light... well, on the surface. There's something a bit more edged to it despite the slight smile, as he leans in on the table to be closer to the drunk, more on his level.]

Hey there, buddy. I'll be your server now -- you wanna spend those last few credits in your wallet, or would you like to go dry the rest up on your gambling habit? [:)))))] I'm pretty sure your significant other wouldn't like how you've been spending your time, though.

You said you were docked... over at Dock 34, right?

[:))))))))))) get the fuck out of my bar]

[There's a marked difference in reactions between Qing's attempts and Sam's, of course. It's easy to ignore someone soft-spoken, someone who hasn't yet lost the memory of "do not contradict customers".

For a long moment, Qing thinks the drunk is going to turn on Sam, and at first there's every reason to - he raises his head and opens his mouth to snarl a reply, squinting at the newcomer like he's trying to size him up.

What comes out in return is a grumbled biting remark, something no doubt derogatory about the both of them most likely - Qing doesn't catch it. He'd seen Sam coming, remembers him from earlier tables and groups, but can't say he knows much about him.

The customer, in a last-ditch effort to be a pain in the ass (or maybe just because he's roaring drunk, Qing can never tell), knocks over his glass. It's empty, and the sound of it covers whatever is said before he spits some other remark and turns to hobble out the door. Qing's more interested in the glass - his father's frustrated voice comes to mind: "Aiya! Don't let the china get broken, child! Don't you pay attention?!" and he reaches to automatically grab the thing before it hits the floor.]

... Ah... um... thank you. [His smile is a bit brighter when he stands straight again, peering up at Sam.] Sorry to be a bother.

[As the guy waddles his drunk ass out, Sam looks a bit more at ease and offers the kid a positive little grin. No worries, Qing, Sam's not one to judge about proper upkeep, not in any bar. Hunter's life usually makes you messier, even for him, Mr. Clean.]

Don't mention it. You sure you're the bother? Because that guy was a pain.

[Rubbing the back of his head, he smiles a little more; it's honest relief, so it doesn't seem quite as even and perfect as his work smile.]

I suppose that's true. I should be a little better able to protect myself, though. Drunken customers are the same no matter what world you're on, it seems.

[He shrugs. Not even sweating it, kid.]

I won't say that's untrue — it's important to know how to defend yourself.

Physically, for sure. I'd be dead a million times over if I didn't know how to.

[........ Instead of the five or six time he's died. W/E, W/E. Not of import.]

[Damn it, Sam.]

Ah, you lived in a dangerous place, then?

[He's not off the clock officially yet, and should probably do that before engaging in small talk, but he figures the time to calm down is well-spent.]

It's probably weird for me to say I'm a little envious you learned how.

You could say that; danger was a pretty common problem, yeah.

[He wanders back toward the bar, though he matches Qing's steps to make sure he's not leaving him behind as they talk. He's got to put away some glasses and bottles, dispose of a few left by drunken patrons.]

You know, you could always learn how here. There are a lot of fighters aboard the fleet, and all. And it pays to know how to handle yourself in a brawl.

E-eh? Me?

[Qing looks down at himself without ceasing his movements; he's all skin and bones, small and dainty. It's not that he hasn't considered learning how to fight, it's just...]

I'm not sure there's much someone could teach me. It's not like I have much of a chance against someone much bigger than myself, you know? [Yes, he knows the concept of turning an opponent's strength against them, but...]

[He smiles.]

You think just because you're small, you can't learn self-defense?

You'd be surprised what people can accomplish with a little practice.

I-

[Well, okay. He can't say in good conscience that he doesn't believe it at all, but...]

Well, I wouldn't know who to ask, I suppose. Back home, it was always more important to be understanding when the 股東 were drunk.

[He doesn't think much of it when he slips into Cantonese, whoops.]

[Sam chuckles a bit.]

I'm guessing that's an insult?

[Cantonese is a language he actually can't decipher. For once. As it should be; being able to translate latin and Italian and speak spanish and Enochian and — well, look, he's had a lot of time and all of these are particularly useful, okay.]

I wouldn't mind showing you some self-defense strategies, though.

Eh? A-ah... no.

[Qing places a hand on his cheek, amused.]

It means 'shareholders', actually. Sometimes I forget, I was so used to speaking it at home...

[The offer makes him smile a little, though. If he really can learn, then maybe...]

I wouldn't want to inconvenience you, but if you don't mind... it might be about time, I suppose. Ah, I'm sure I could find something to trade for it, too...

[Something for nothing is not how Qing operates, ok.]

[He shakes his head.]

It's really not an inconvenience. In case you're not aware, this place kind of gives me way, way more free time than I'm used to. It's kind of a pain. And really, trade isn't even necessary; you'd be doing me a favor, keeping me active.

[With a little laugh, he bows his head.]

Then thank you for your offer, I'd appreciate it. Still, if there is anything you need, let me know and I'll see what I can do, okay?

2nd Course

B!!!!!

I'M SO LATE IM SORRY

no problem! :)

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