[PROMPT] Mixology 101

The familiarity of the Rabbit Hole was coupled only by Hops’ sweet visage in the distance. Though the patrons were next door at Wonderland Casino, wasting carats for the chance of more, Arsene felt at home where debauchery thrived. He could navigate the nightlife easily, though maybe one could argue it went hand in hand with the very essence of their existence. The large bun pulls a stool out from the counter, its metal bottom screeching a little in his act. This draws attention to its main bartender and host, Hops, who waves the teal bun over with little regard to the drink she held overhead.

“Arsene, welcome, welcome!” Hers was a giddy giggle, indicating to the hellfire bun she had already sipped a little of her concoctions. “It’s time for our lesson, isn’t it? No worries, this won’t take too long! Well, I mean, I don’t think.”

Trays cast aside, and bottles discarded, Hops makes quick work of the counter before her. She places an empty shot glass before her and pulls out all sorts of spirits and liquors. One catches Arsene’s attention—whiskey. The moment the top is popped, the lavender bun takes a testing sniff, as though confirming its genuine potency. “Wanna sniff?”

He shakes his head politely and frowns. “Ah, um, not tonight.” His words are carefully metered, not wanting to upset her but also clear and cautious. “I don’t exactly have a good tolerance. I wouldn’t be able to learn anything.” This explanation seems to satisfy Hops, enough that she shrugs and continues with her lesson.

When she launches into her explanation, Arsene doesn’t think there’s much to it but still he leans in, watching her movements with considerable calculation. Sinnamon Whiskey was simple enough- a dash of cinnamon and whiskey poured into a shot glass. Others, like Celestiale and Scale Ale required a bit more finetuning, a bit more focus—one he was surprised Hops had given how usually clumsy she was. He didn’t bother taking notes though, not knowing when or how these lessons would be useful to him in the future. In part, he was curious simply because he needed an excuse to visit Wonderland Casino next door on behalf of his bosses, but it never hurt to learn how to impress folks at a party with bartending tricks, right?

“And that’s pretty much that!” She concludes, a smidge of pride with her finality. “And it would be such a waste to not drink these so…you sure I can’t convince you to drink with me? Hmm?”

Arsene’s lips purse together, unable to resist her sweet charms. When he sighs, she cheers and hands him the sinnamon whiskey; a mercy that it was only a shot and not a cocktail though it wouldn’t make a difference with his low tolerance. “Fine.”

They clink their glasses together and he takes a swig all in one go. The fire that goes down his throat and spreads to his stomach is nothing but his face twists in discomfort all the same. The effect is almost immediate, a deep blush spreading to his cheeks and the tips of his ears. Hops only laughs and continues her drink, keeping Arsene company while he recovers and wobbles his way out of the bar, hoping he didn’t face anyone familiar on his way home.