BARTENDING

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard. In the bar.

At the Bar.

Taking orders.

Imagine that.*

[ooc: Clarice gets a flat in the Staff Wing; Tom Riddle gets a scotch and an update on Bernard's love life, which is rather awesome; Sunny is imperious and snuggly and calls Bernard Daddy for the first time; Tony is depressed (OMG SHOCK AND AWE); Ace is seduced away from Tim with Vegetable Korma; Tim and Bernard talk about Security issues, including Faith and Barty Crouch, and Bernard pricks at Tim's conscience without meaning to; Laini is over-friendly; Q offers his services in the future; the Trips get cockroaches and a knife; Ginny's just plain nice and talkative; and Raph and Bernard talk about EVERYTHING (definitely worth a read).]

Comments

[no-more-chianti.livejournal.com]

Clarice would smile, but she's a little on the haggard side now.

"I spoke with Susan about working in the stables."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Okay.

Did she hire you?

[no-more-chianti.livejournal.com]

Clarice nods. "Yeah. The terms are ... very generous, and I wanted to talk to you about one of them. I've already got a room, but is it possible for me to move to the staff quarters?"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. We have several empty flats. Do you want to see them?

[no-more-chianti.livejournal.com]

Clarice nods promptly.

"Yes, please. That'd be great."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He walks out from behind the Bar and gestures for her to follow him to the Staff Wing. He opens a flat about halfway down the corridor.*

[no-more-chianti.livejournal.com]

Clarice follows. She sticks her head in the door and looks around.

"... That's what I call a perk, sir."

To be fair, it's not spectacular, but it's definitely a step up from the little room she has now. Hannibal probably didn't want to embarrass her for having to depend on him. Clarice scowls.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

They are, yeah. We worked hard, building them.

You wanna see the rest, or do you like this one?

[no-more-chianti.livejournal.com]

"Oh ... no. This is fine. It's better than fine." She smiles. "And I really get to live here?"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Absolutely.

*He grins*

It's a home, for the workers. We try to make it comfortable.

*He sticks out a hand*

Bernard Wrangle, by the way.

[no-more-chianti.livejournal.com]

"I remember," Clarice says with a nod. And then, because Bernard probably meets a lot of people and she hasn't spoken with him in weeks, she adds, "Clarice Starling."

She pauses, not wanting to sound too eager. But then goes for it anyway. "When can I move in?"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Oh, fuck, we've met. I'm sorry.

*He flushes*

Um, you can move in anytime you like. Bar will give you a key.

[no-more-chianti.livejournal.com]

"Don't worry about it," Clarice says, thinking that things won't be good when Bigby and Bernard put their heads together about Lecter.

And she smiles. It's verging on a beam, really. "Would tonight work? I ... don't have much to take."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He shrugs*

Sure. It's all up to you. Make yourself at home. If you prefer to cook, you can get groceries from the kitchen. Bar can make you some furnishings, or someone who's not Bound can get some for you.

[no-more-chianti.livejournal.com]

Clarice looks intensely relieved now.

"Thank you, sir," she says. "I'll ask Bar for a key."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

No need to call me sir.

Most people just call me Bernard, and Tim has this bizarre penchant for calling me 'Boss'. So, either of those is fine.

[no-more-chianti.livejournal.com]

"Oh, sure," Clarice says, shrugging. "Sorry, habit. Bernard. Okay."

She pauses. "I'll let you get back to bartending, then. Thanks a lot for your help and ... everything."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

No problem, Clarice.

*He smiles at her and walks back into the bar.*