[Vrenille's smile is just a touch sad because he hates asking people to do things they'll hate, even when he knows it's necessary, and because he knows the toll this place takes, how much worse it can be than just having to throw out someone else's coffee cup.]
Let's go get a little drunk, yeah?
[A little. Enough to take the edge off, let the air out like a deep exhale; not enough to make Ash feel compromised.] I'll tell you everything I know 'bout this place. More info you can be armed with the better.
[And he means that, honestly. He wants Ash to be safe. Yeah, they only just met and hardly know each other and Ash obviously trusts him about half as far as he could throw him (if that), but a man who reacts that way to a touch on his arm--a man with a past that would make him react that way... Vrenille does want him to be safe, and it's not a foregone conclusion that he will be, no matter how tough he is.
He doesn't reach to touch him again as he leads the way. And it really turns out to not be that far, a little zig-zag through back streets cutting right to the spot. It's a shortcut that implies he knows his way around well.
There are loads of places to get a drink in Duplicity. But Vrenille's chosen this one because it's a good spot to know. Good people. Not that any of them are likely to be working this early in the day--the upstairs bar where most of the real action happens won't open for several hours yet. But that's not such a bad thing maybe; makes it all a lot more quiet, and the downstairs bar can still serve them just fine.
The 13th Step isn't overly fancy. The vibe inside is comfortable, a touch rustic, moderately upscale, with a hint of something country--a bit of the American West (not that Vrenille has any frame of reference). To him, the saloon vibe is just a touch more like the taverns at home than the average local bar here, which is one of the reasons he likes the place. Most importantly, it's quiet enough to have a conversation without being so quiet that their words will carry to anyone nearby.
Vrenille nods to some armchairs arranged off to the side near a big stone fireplace left cold for the summer--more private than the bar, but more comfortable than a table. And when the server comes round to take their orders, he gestures to Ash to let him order first, let him take the lead. It's a subtle way of ceding control, a small gesture after the coffee incident, but it's something.]
hopefully this little scene jump works, but lmk if it rushes ahead too fast and I can edit
Let's go get a little drunk, yeah?
[A little. Enough to take the edge off, let the air out like a deep exhale; not enough to make Ash feel compromised.] I'll tell you everything I know 'bout this place. More info you can be armed with the better.
[And he means that, honestly. He wants Ash to be safe. Yeah, they only just met and hardly know each other and Ash obviously trusts him about half as far as he could throw him (if that), but a man who reacts that way to a touch on his arm--a man with a past that would make him react that way... Vrenille does want him to be safe, and it's not a foregone conclusion that he will be, no matter how tough he is.
He doesn't reach to touch him again as he leads the way. And it really turns out to not be that far, a little zig-zag through back streets cutting right to the spot. It's a shortcut that implies he knows his way around well.
There are loads of places to get a drink in Duplicity. But Vrenille's chosen this one because it's a good spot to know. Good people. Not that any of them are likely to be working this early in the day--the upstairs bar where most of the real action happens won't open for several hours yet. But that's not such a bad thing maybe; makes it all a lot more quiet, and the downstairs bar can still serve them just fine.
The 13th Step isn't overly fancy. The vibe inside is comfortable, a touch rustic, moderately upscale, with a hint of something country--a bit of the American West (not that Vrenille has any frame of reference). To him, the saloon vibe is just a touch more like the taverns at home than the average local bar here, which is one of the reasons he likes the place. Most importantly, it's quiet enough to have a conversation without being so quiet that their words will carry to anyone nearby.
Vrenille nods to some armchairs arranged off to the side near a big stone fireplace left cold for the summer--more private than the bar, but more comfortable than a table. And when the server comes round to take their orders, he gestures to Ash to let him order first, let him take the lead. It's a subtle way of ceding control, a small gesture after the coffee incident, but it's something.]