After Work Drinking

Daily Grind had been ridiculous busy that day with several customers coming in for the seasonal winter menu consisting of peppermint, gingerbread, and cinnamon flavours not to mention new chili and stew. There had been of course several entitled and rude customers that had gotten forcefully marched out of the cafe. Not to mention trying to liaison with Citrusy Cream Parlor regarding getting the ice cream flavors in for the creamy milkshakes as well as to accompany the hot desserts. It had been a stressful week on top of the busy day and Ione was absolutely drained. The gluttony bun was in a desperate need of a drink. Or several. Preferably enough to take the edge off yet not go too overboard.

So that was absolutely how Ione ended up heading toward The Rabbit Hole. It wasn't often that they went drinking on their own. Their busy and stressful week on top of their abysmal sleep cycles had required some...interesting methods to destress.

When Ione entered the bar, they were pleasantly surprised to see that it was not bustling with customers and headed straight for the bar. Hopping up onto one of stools, Ione noted that the cheery lilac gluttony doll was helping herself to a drink.
"Can't resist drinking on the job?" Ione pointed out blandly as Hops startled at their voice.
"OH! I didn't hear you come in. Welcome~" she giggled nervously and Ione sighed tiredly

"Can I please get the Cinnamon Maple Whisky Sour?" Ione requested and Hops went to gather the drink ingredients, shaking it up in strainer and pouring it into a chilled glass. It was slid across counter toward Ione who sipped at it then nodded in approval
"Thanks" some carats was slid across the counter for Hops to put in register.

Ione sipped their drink slowly. Spiced yet sweet. They hummed as they glanced around the quiet bar that was slowly starting to get more customers. Hops excused herself to serve other customers as Ione enjoyed their first drink of many tonight. Once the cinnamon maple whisky sour was drained and the martini glass set aside, Ione flagged Hops down

"Apple Pie Bourbon please" they ordered, sliding carats over. Soon, a lovely smelling drink was slid toward them in mason jar glass. Ione nodded in approval as they picked up the sweet scent of apple spiced in cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg mixed with bourbon. It was more autumn drink than winter but Ione had always liked apple flavoured alcoholic drinks.
Ione sighed softly as they sipped the drink while listening to others around them. Several were ordering drinks, and some were heading into the casino and Ione could even hear few trying to flirt with the employees with no success much to their amusement.

Soon, they were flagging Hops down again and requested Pecan Pie Martini.
It was really quiet and slow night, Ione was thankful for it as they really just wanted to drink. The martini glass was set in front of them and carats paid right away.
Pecan Pie Martini had smell of caramelized pecans and cinnamon while tasting of those flavours plus rum and bourbon. it was sweet and nutty. Pecan Pie was one of Ione's favorite pies to make at their cafe. Ione mused that they needed to make more or produce them in more handheld form for selling. Maybe that will go better. With a soft content sigh, Ione continued to sip their third drink of the night.

"Stressful day?" Hops asked as she leaned onto the counter across from the gluttony bun who glanced up at her voice.
"Mmhm. Our seasonal winter menu is out so it's been a busy week. Today was especially bad in particular" Ione lifted a hoof to rub at their forehead as Hops nodded in sympathy.
"I should stop by when it's not too busy. I've heard talks and your cinnamon caramel latte is especially tasty" Hops smiled and Ione perked up
"That's our least popular drink actually but I do think you'll prefer that most out of the winter flavors. The other two are peppermint mocha or hot chocolate and gingerbread latte" Hops made a face at that
"Not big fan of either flavors" Ione had to laugh at that

"Yeah I get that a lot. They're either loved or disliked, no in between" Ione chuckled fondly
"Come by in the morning. I should have some pecan muffin left for you as well"

Ione's drink was drained and they requested another Cinnamon Maple Whisky Sour to which Hops commented that it seemed to be their favorite

"I need something strong and spiced plus cinnamon and maple are my favorite combination" Ione clicked their tongue at the teasing.

They continued to drink well into the night with Hops serving them several more drinks. Soon Ione could feel their eyes struggling to stay up and hopped off the stool

"Time to go home before I fall asleep disgracefully at the bar" Ione joked and Hops waved them goodbye as they headed out of The Rabbit Hole.