Alex smiled in spite of himself when the word "sassafras" came out of Ruby's mouth.
"Sassafras is not exactly my kind of word, but I think now that you said it, you've pretty much sealed the deal. It's embedded itself into my mind. Sassafras it is."
The car came to a skidding halt, immersed in the shadow of a large, dingy yet foreboding tavern. The word TAUROS was emblazoned in large, gold letters, marred by gunshots and bird droppings. The face of a vicious bull was planted just underneath, and it would have been portentous had it not bore a perpetual wreath of pigeons upon its head.
The driver said nothing as Alex and Ruby departed the car, but did stare at them intently as they headed for the doors.
The inside of the tavern was dimly lit, dusty and damp, smelling of rye and piss. But there was something of an earthy charm in its russet tones, the mahogany bar stools who's legs were mottled, and the requisite bartender, old and graying, with a cigarette between his lips, and his hands cleaning a cup with an old rag. He nodded at Alex and Ruby, who tried their best to be inconspicuous.
Alex quickly scanned the room, hoping to perhaps spot someone who stood out as a Sion employee in disguise. There were the obligatory old men, playing poker, wheezing and coughing all over the cards, and taking swigs of cheap beer. There were a few loners, men with leathery faces and hardened eyes, boring holes into nothing in particular as they worked on their fifth or sixth glasses of Jack Daniels. And then there was a pair, a man and a woman, who stood out not from age, for they were both relatively young, and not by clothing, but by the freshness in their faces, the cleanliness of small things like their nails and hair.
Bingo thought Alex. He locked eyes with them, and their faces affirmed his thoughts.
"Hey, about time!" exclaimed the man, rising to meet Alex and Ruby, talking as if they were old friends. His smile was wide as he beckoned them over, but his eyes, focused and resolute, were the indicators of their stealthy plan.
Alex and Ruby sat next to the man and woman, who were still grinning from ear to ear. No one in the bar even cast a glance at the exchange. So far so good.
"So, how's everything?" asked Alex, wondering when their facade would fade away, and the talk of business would arrive.
OOC: if ooc's aren't allowed here just lemme know, I'll move it to the ooc thread. I just dunno how often anyone checks that. Anyway, to Zypher, I just wanted to know if you wanted to keep winging this, or discuss a little like... plan of action outside, just to figure out how exactly it's going to go down, or if you want to keep winging it. I'm fine either way, so it's your call. :P I just wanna let them have some fun soon, hehe.
and to the others: Should we just focus on our separate plot lines, or are there plans for plot lines to converge in the future. Or am I just over thinking everything lol