pete hayworth (lastcall) wrote in casefile, @ 2018-05-17 20:10:00 |
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It might have been a muddy mess outside but Last Shot was dry and clean, or at least as dry and clean as it could be when it was packed with bodies. As Mitch made his way in through the door and over to the bar to leisurely begin his shift he paused to tap a familiar figure on the shoulder as he passed. Heather Valdez had a standing date with her grandson each week. That standing date gave Xo the ability make plans, work late, and sometimes it gave her the chance to spend some time at Last Shot and maybe see what was going on in the town outside of what she heard at work. She turned at the tap on her shoulder, reaching out to grab his wrist. “Hey there, stranger.” “Howdy,” Mitch replied, seemingly deciding that he was in a Western mood. A slow and easy smile illuminated his face. “What brings you round these parts?” An eyebrow popped up but with a tilt of her head Xo decided to play along for now as she let go of his wrist. Fingertips stayed just close enough to brush against skin. “Heard this was the place to be in this town. You reckon that’s true?” His hand dropped to her shoulder where it rested for a second before falling back to his side. This was fun, this was the part of owning a bar that Mitch enjoyed. Conversation was always a good thing. “I don’t know, what is it you’re hoping to see?” “Haven’t decided yet.” Xo offered, looking to her shoulder for a moment before turning back to him. This was easy, a game, something that wasn’t having been stuck in a car for hours worrying through the rain on if Olly was okay. Instead it was now, at a bar, and a game. Her smile twitched as she leaned in just a little closer. “Something exciting.” “Come back tomorrow at high noon,” Mitch suggested with a smirk. “There’ll be a big showdown, you just missed out on today’s.” He clicked his tongue. “It was a real nail biter.” “You're ganna make me go all the way home and back? Sure isn't a way to treat a lady.” She teased. “Though you the one risking it all? Maybe I will.” Mitch scoffed, had she ever seen a Western? Well, maybe that was neither here nor there. “Sorry to disappoint, I’m only the barkeep.” He gestured to the room. “They’ll be the ones risking it all.” Xo jabbed a finger playfully at his chest. “Oh, so just leaving all the excitement to everyone else.” She smirked. “Barkeep doesn't get into anything?” “No,” Mitch grinned. “The barkeep just profits off the spectacle.” Which was true of real life and this little roleplay. The bar was filled with out of towners here for the film spectacle. Last Shot was making a tidy profit. Xo rolled her eyes but the smile stayed. “So you're saying I should find someone else to entertain me?” “Just this once.” Mitch replied somberly. She seemed to take a moment in thought, head tilted to the side as if this were a real puzzle that she had to work through. “Hmmm. No. I pick you.” He nodded, as if this reply had been expected somehow. “Would a drink do it?” “Done.” Xo smiled bright but held up her hand. “Buuuut you have to tell me how you've been.” Mitch made his way past her and around the bar, pausing to nod to the bartender on duty and exchange words on how the shift had been going. By the time he made his way over to Xo’s place at the bar and poured her a drink he’d half forgotten what he was supposed to tell her about. “There you go.” Xos smile grew as she watched him walk back up to her. “Ah ah ah.” Xo chastised as she took a sip of her drink. “That's only half what I was promised.” “Remind me what the other half was?” “You have to tell me how you've been. Give me all the gossip.” “Gossip?” Mitch laughed. He didn’t have anything jucy. “Let’s see, I missed the storm with a well timed camping trip. How’d you do with that?” “Nevermind how I did, who were you camping with? Did Penny actually go camping?” Xo brushed his question aside. This time his laughter was loud, audible, it took a few seconds to reign in. “No. Penny didn’t go camping.” Xo thought so. But hey it was more than worth the laugh. “So did you go by your lonesome oooor who did you bring?” “A friend.” Mitch leaned forward. “You didn’t answer my question about the storm.” “Noooooo no no, I want a name.” Xo stuck her tongue out at him. “It’s part of the promise. Then maybe I’ll answer.” “What are you going to do with this information if I give you a name?” Mitch bargained. “That depends entirely on the name.” Xo retorted. “Cause I don’t know if I’m doing my Mitch is getting laid dance, Mitch is a sad sack dance, or the Mitch is comfortable in his sexuality dance.” “So, just a dance? That’s it?” He replied inquisitively. “To start with, yeah.” she nodded, taking another sip. “So dish.” “Nuh, uh.” Mitch shook his head ‘no.’ “What do you mean to start with? What’s after the dance?” “I can’t know that until I have a name.” Xo reached out to poke his shoulder. “Don’t make me start investigating, cause I will.” “No. I’ll pass. I’m not about to start contributing to gossip about myself, you can dig for it.” “Miiiitch.” Xo pouted. “Come ooooon it won’t be anything bad. Unless you’re going after one of my precious cousins because then I’ll murder you.” Mitch shook his head again. “Do your work, investigative reporter.” Her eyes narrowed playfully. “If it is one of my precious cousins you best hide, Mitch.” “I think I’ll be safe,” he quipped with a sly smile. “I don’t know why you tease me so much.” she side as she downed the rest of her drink. “I’m always soooo nice to you.” “Someone has to keep you on your toes,” Mitch grinned. “Come on, flex those investigative muscles and get back to me.” “You better not be hiding a girlfriend from me.” Xo rolled her eyes, but the smile gave her away. “Because if I get valuable teasing time taken away I’ll be mad.” Mitch raised his eyebrows and shrugged, giving a we’ll see vibe before walking away. |