[ and just like that, manuela's steps roll to a stop. she had been quite determined, since barret's offer, to find some place of solace. preferably with a good drink, but she would have been just as happy to simply be away from those ludicrous games.
now, though, she wishes she had paid a little better attention. she wishes she had taken much better note of his tone, the look on his face when he spoke of having important people to get home to.
she turns to him, reaching out to place a gentle hand along his arm. ]
I'm sorry, Barret. You must miss her terribly.
[ to be away from a spouse, a lover, that is an awful thing. she imagines it would be like missing a limb. but to be ripped away from your own child... even an actress as talented as she couldn't hope to have an imagination vast enough to know what that must be like.
what comfort is there to offer for someone who must feel so adrift like that? ]
I do hope you drink, [ she says after a moment. she resumes her walking, only this time she has slipped her arm through his, as if touch alone can help transfer some of her energy through to him. ] Our toast to your escape will have to be a grand one.
[Not for the first time, Barret wishes he had his shades here, if only to hide the pained flash of emotion that crosses his features at Manuela's sympathies. He missed his baby girl so much. It had been months since they'd ventured out of Midgar, and though he's certain she's safe with Elmyra, he can't always be sure he'll be able to come back to her in one piece. Now, at this place...
He glances up to the sky until the mistiness in his eyes abates and he can speak up again. He couldn't cry in front of a stranger, no matter how kind that stranger was! Had a reputation to maintain. But he does gently pat Manuela's hand on his arm in thanks.]
I sure do, every day. [...] Thanks, Manuela. You know, you're a real stand-up lady! Sorry again, for the way I talked to you earlier.
[He cheers up a little after that.] And yeah, I drink! Friend of mine's a bartender in fact — let's go and have that toast!
[ at the very least, manuela has the grace to glance away as the force of his pain hits him right between the eyes. she wishes, of course, she could offer more than some shallow distraction to ease his suffering, but in lieu of anything else she will simply resolve to find him whatever kind of ease she can.
in response to his abashed apology, manuela's chuckle is a low, rueful thing. ]
Thank you for your apology. But it's certainly not the worst assumption I've ever had thrown my way.
[ there's more to that story there, evident in the way her lips twist briefly. but she seems far more concerned soldiering past that; there is, after all, some drinks to be had. ]
Let's focus now. Do you recall where you saw that bar..?
[While he waits for her to fill in the space between that comment, he chooses not to pry. Everybody had a right to tell whatever story they had in their own time. Instead, he focuses on there whereabouts.] Hmm, lessee... it's over there! I think... damn! This place is huge. It's gotta be at least as big as Midgar — that's the big city in my world.
[He clarifies as he scans the area one more time before deciding that his first guess was the right one. Soon enough the bar comes into view — he's relieved to see that it's less like Junon's Upper District's flashy, high class bars and more like Tifa's — well-worn and homey looking. A little like those inns in Kalm.] Here we are. Oh — after you.
[ she makes a low sound of approval upon entry. manuela tends to give off (at least initially) the impression of someone who might favor something classier or upscale. and while she can honestly find herself home just about anywhere if the drink is strong enough, had she her choice she would rather somewhere cozy and homier. glancing around, it was all very perfectly quaint.
and, best yet — unstaffed. ]
You've found us quite the treasure, Barret, thank you.
[ she'll just help herself to ducking behind the counter to peruse the various offerings herself, thank you. sadly, she is no bartender, so she couldn't possibly promise to whip them up something extraordinary — but one could say (quite kindly) that she is something of a connoisseur. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
barret.
[ and just like that, manuela's steps roll to a stop. she had been quite determined, since barret's offer, to find some place of solace. preferably with a good drink, but she would have been just as happy to simply be away from those ludicrous games.
now, though, she wishes she had paid a little better attention. she wishes she had taken much better note of his tone, the look on his face when he spoke of having important people to get home to.
she turns to him, reaching out to place a gentle hand along his arm. ]
I'm sorry, Barret. You must miss her terribly.
[ to be away from a spouse, a lover, that is an awful thing. she imagines it would be like missing a limb. but to be ripped away from your own child... even an actress as talented as she couldn't hope to have an imagination vast enough to know what that must be like.
what comfort is there to offer for someone who must feel so adrift like that? ]
I do hope you drink, [ she says after a moment. she resumes her walking, only this time she has slipped her arm through his, as if touch alone can help transfer some of her energy through to him. ] Our toast to your escape will have to be a grand one.
no subject
He glances up to the sky until the mistiness in his eyes abates and he can speak up again. He couldn't cry in front of a stranger, no matter how kind that stranger was! Had a reputation to maintain. But he does gently pat Manuela's hand on his arm in thanks.]
I sure do, every day. [...] Thanks, Manuela. You know, you're a real stand-up lady! Sorry again, for the way I talked to you earlier.
[He cheers up a little after that.] And yeah, I drink! Friend of mine's a bartender in fact — let's go and have that toast!
no subject
in response to his abashed apology, manuela's chuckle is a low, rueful thing. ]
Thank you for your apology. But it's certainly not the worst assumption I've ever had thrown my way.
[ there's more to that story there, evident in the way her lips twist briefly. but she seems far more concerned soldiering past that; there is, after all, some drinks to be had. ]
Let's focus now. Do you recall where you saw that bar..?
no subject
[He clarifies as he scans the area one more time before deciding that his first guess was the right one. Soon enough the bar comes into view — he's relieved to see that it's less like Junon's Upper District's flashy, high class bars and more like Tifa's — well-worn and homey looking. A little like those inns in Kalm.] Here we are. Oh — after you.
[He holds open the door for her.]
no subject
and, best yet — unstaffed. ]
You've found us quite the treasure, Barret, thank you.
[ she'll just help herself to ducking behind the counter to peruse the various offerings herself, thank you. sadly, she is no bartender, so she couldn't possibly promise to whip them up something extraordinary — but one could say (quite kindly) that she is something of a connoisseur. ]
Now, what's your poison?