Scene #1211: Holiday Spirits

Owner	Pose
Archer of Brown	By this time, most people are tucked squarely away with their families. The Multiverse is a big place, though, and not everyone can be so easily categorized, especially where Elites are involved. It's been a curious week for Archer, less so for his boss, who's currently fast asleep in Washington. Stumping, as the senator likes to call it, has gone more or less successfully. They've not gotten any concrete, stalwart allies, but they've at least made their presence known. Well, it's Christmas, or as near as makes no difference, and Archer's got no family to speak of with which to spend it. Even in his day, he'd probably spend it alone. This year's no different--he just wouldn't feel comfortable inviting himself into the Mason family's Christmas festivities, so here he sits, by himself, downing another shot of whiskey. The gunfighter sets the shot glass against the bar and listens to the Eagles singing a Christmas tune in the background. If he keeps putting that whiskey away, Christmas bells aren't the only ones that are going to be ringing tomorrow morning.
Ayako Hasekawa	It's true, most people in the Multiverse are with their families, celebrating the holiday, and of course, sleeping at this time of night. Not everyone has a family, or in Ayako's case, sleeps. And so one Ayako Hasekawa wanders into the Bar and Grill at the End of the Multiverse, humming to herself. No, she's not humming any Christmas songs. Heaven knows she's heard more than enough of those recently! She walks cheerfully over to the bar and has a seat next to Archer of Brown. Ayako spins on top of her seat for a few rotations and then smiles happily at him. "Hello~!"
Archer of Brown	Archer's long, brown hair frames his confusion well. Who else but him would be out and about right now, and who would be so cheery about it? Well... it's not like he can't be social. "Evening, ma'am," says the shootist, nodding politely to her. He tips his hat, then taps his fingers on the bar lightly to get the bartender's attention. Another shot is poured for him, which he downs quickly. With that bit of fire water out of the way, he turns his attention to the water spirit in full, noting her attire. "You're certainly dressed for the season," notes Archer. "Just get back from a party?" He leans forward, rests his elbows on the bar. Seems this one intends to be here for a while.
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako smiles softly and bows politely in return to the hat tipping. She quietly notes the extra shot and inclines her head to the side gently. "That's qutie a bit of alcohol you're packing away there... need a bit of company?" Followed by another spin in her chair. Ayako is indeed dressed warmly! And very fluff-ily at that. "Eh heh..." She gestures at herself with a mitten. "Although I may not really need to, I try to look like I dress warmly!" Followed by another polite bow. "I'm Ayako Hasekawa, a water spirit." Her amber gaze goes straight up to the ceiling. "Hmm? A party? Not quite. Mostly just wandering around. And enjoying the snow."
Archer of Brown	Company? He frowns. For a moment, he's in a different place. "Heh." He remembers that he's not there. He's in a bar and grill, a respectable establishment, and one in which nearly a century's passed since the heyday of that cesspit. "Well, miss Hasekawa, I think you might be better company than Mr. Daniels, anyway." He doesn't comment on the amount, only acknowledging her first point. The Spirit waves away the bartender, for now. "I'm Archer, a Heroic Spirit." The man's not above a turn of phrase when the mood strikes him. "Archer of Brown, if more of us start showing up. Hear that's kind of an issue around these parts." He shifts his weight slightly so that he's not so much wallowing as he was before. Now, he's just leaned up against the bar, watching Ayako. Every so often, he shoots a glance towards the exit, as if he's worried someone might burst in. "So what's a water spirit got to do this time of year?"
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako blinks her eyes slowly when she notes the faraway look in Archer of Brown's eyes that exists for a moment. "Hmm..." And then winces strongly when she is addressed as 'miss Hasekawa'. "Ick... please call me Ayako. Being called by my last name is a bit..." She shakes her head slowly. When Archer of Brown mentions his name, though, Ayako's head inclines to the side gently. "A-ahh... one of those Heroic Spirits that are in all of those Holy Grail Wars." She smiles softly. "Although you don't seem the type to use a bow and more the type to use a gun. And yes, it is an issue!" A bright giggle follows. "There are so many Servants that I'm not sure who is what in what war anymore!" She smiles cheerfully at Archer of Brown. "But... it is interesting to meet so many legendary folks." Archer's glances towards the exit don't escape Ayako's amber gaze, though. "Relax, relax. People only come to this place when they're hungry, thirsty, or really bored." And then a mitten raises into the air. "I'm the latter. Mostly because I just do the usual things I always do." She spins around in her chair a few more times. "Look for interesting people to meet, make friends, heal people!"
Archer of Brown	"Ayako it is." He nods, and that's that, as far as he's concerned. "My legend was more trouble than it was worth even when I was alive. Now, it's got me into a whole mess of trouble. A Grail War's bloody enough without a heaping handful of other worlds with their own motivations. Fine Christmas present, ain't it?" "Anyway, I'm glad you find me interesting, Ayako, but there are plenty of folks who take it too far." He pauses. "Same as it ever was, I reckon. Long as you keep an eye on the door, you're safe from bored people."
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako smiles brightlyy when she's called by her first name. Why is she so touchy about that? Who knows? She listens quietly to Archer, nodding her head slowly. "Hmmm? Being a legend while you were still alive sounds pretty amazing... and troublesome as you say." Her head nods once. "That's true... but oh, don't look at it as a Christmas Present. After all, Santa didn't deliver it." She giggles softly and shakes her head quickly. "Hmm... they take their interest too far, huh?"
Archer of Brown	Well, Santa actually existing is still a new one on him. If he makes it to next year, the two of them are going to have words. "Most of it's fans. People who saw me do something or read about me in the penny dreadfuls." He pauses, then explains. "They were these little books you could buy on the cheap. Sorta like the granddaddy of the comic book, I reckon. Anyway... the admirers was bad enough, on account of not seeing me. Not seeing the real me. But the worst was when I'd have to put some drunk in the ground because he'd got it in his head he could draw faster and shoot straighter than me, and he wanted to prove it."
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako winces when fans are mentioned. "Fans... I know how that goes. In the past, I was an idol singer." Her amber gaze goes upwards for a moment... and then she smiles softly as she explains, since Archer was so nice to explain, "That is, a singer and dancer whose selling point is her cuteness and attractiveness." She sighs softly. "So I do iunderstand about admirers not seeing the real you. Although..." She winces slightly, "That worse thing... just sounds like the worst..."
Archer of Brown	"You could talk them down, sometimes. Buy 'em a meal, change the subject. Other times they was just bound and determined to get a fight out of you, and they'd do anything to get one. Stealing from you, accusing you of cheating at cards." He pauses, holds up a finger. "I know that don't sound like much, but back then, your reputation meant everything. If folks thought you cheated at cards, that casted doubt on everything you did. Room and board, loans, business, everything." "Anyway, didn't mean to darken your doorstep with all of that, Ayako. You expecting anything from Saint Nick?"
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako nods her head slowly... and then sighs softly. "That just sounds horrible. People trying to get you to fight them all the time." She nods her head quickly, "Oh, someone's reputation still means something, even today! Besides..." And then Ayako thinks about a few people. Theo, Kaiba... "There still are lots of people that would take cheating at cards really seriously." She then giggles softly and shakes her head. "Oh no, don't worry about it. It didn't darken my mood any." Ah, gifts from Santa? "Eh heh... I... I don't think I'm going to get anything from Santa this year. I'm not sure if I count as naughty or nice." Ayako shakes her head slowly. "Besides... I wouldn't be able to think of anything to ask from him."
Archer of Brown	Well, if there are still some people who play cards, maybe this place isn't so different. If only Archer knew how different some of the Multiverse's card games really are! "You seem nice enough to me," says the gunfighter. "Granted, I don't have the same documentation he's got, but you seem like a nice girl, anyways. Done me a small kindness by showing up tonight and saving me my usual Christmas morning hangover." That's got to be worth something, right? "Speaking of, I ought to retire. Got my fair share of work to do in the next few days."
Ayako Hasekawa	Ayako blushes lightly and smiles softly. "Why thank you, Archer." A small compliment always does a lot for someone like Ayako. "Well, I'm glad to help. Doubly so for being a hangover prevention spirit." She shakes her head slowly. "Hangovers look horrible." Once Archer of Brown comments that he should retire for the day, Ayako bows her head politely and then waves cheerfully. "Oh, don't let me keep you up. Good night!" She smiles cheerfully and spins a few more times in her chair.