I'm gonna be your Bubblegum Bitch.

[bevinjonesy-blog]

“Can I not be here for the company?”

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

“Oh, you certainly can. That’s a bit of a rarity, though, when people come into the bar.”

“First drink of the night’s on me, love. If you’re drinking tonight, that is.”

[sofiathebarkeep-blog]

”I did not remember that. Shit.”

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

“Cassidy’s supposed to be in any moment, don’t fret. It’s not a terribly busy night either, thankfully. I was only behind the bar because needed a drink, sorry love.”

[ballycastlebeater-blog]

“Well, you’ve got me there. It is still an occupational hazard, though. I’ve just got lucky, although my nose is still a little lumpy from when it was broken in my second year at Kenmare, see?” He pointed to the offending bump, barely noticable after the healers had handled it, and hardly a problem compared to some lasting injuries he’d seen. It was still a reminder, though, that he was in a dangerous game - one that only got more dangerous the older he got. “Well, I’m happy to mellow things out as much as I can. I haven’t been in a good scrimmage in years, actually. Things got busy, after Aoife, and…” He trailed off, a half smile on his face that seemed sadder than no smile at all. “That’d be great, sign me up.”

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

“Mm, I remember that break. Healers have done a wonderful job with it, really. If it were just Muggle healed, I doubt it would have come out as cleanly healed,” she returned with a light laugh. It was that brief look of sadness that crossed his face when he trailed off that made her pause, watching his expression in silence for a long moment. She pushed her smile back up again when she spoke again, though. “I’ll let you know when the next game happens. You should chat with your Captain too, you know. Suggest a mixed scrimmage with a team or two that get along well with yours.”

[tasia-montague-blog]

“Who’s your home team? Or at least the team you root for the most. Don’t worry, I won’t get offended.”

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

“Well, when I was young, it was Holyhead. Since I’ve gotten older, though, it’s probably down between Wimbourne and your team, actually. Wimbourne is always good for a fun night in the Lounge when they land a win, and how can you not root for the top team in the League?”

[tasia-montague-blog]

“Must be a tad awkward when one team’s having celebration drinks in one corner and the other is drowning their sorrows right next to them.”

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

“Oh, yes, definitely a bit awkward. It’s awful, but it’s entertaining as well. I’m always inclined to give the losing team discount drinks, and the winning team gives amazing tips, so it works out wonderfully for me.”

[ballycastlebeater-blog]

“Of course. You’d have to be daft to turn down a free drink, and I’ve not had that many bludgers to the head yet, don’t you worry.” An almost wistful smile crossed Dylan’s face hearing Amber describe flight - after years of constant press attention, and everything that had gone on recently, he’d almost forgotten why he’d wanted to play in the first place. “Scrimmage would be great, actually. Although I don’t know how I feel about fitting in with that lot. Bit of a mixed bag, that.”

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

“I’d certainly hope you haven’t. You’re a Beater, after all; you’re supposed to be sending the Bludgers at others, not taking them to your head yourself.” She did miss flying, she found herself realizing once again. The bitterness she tended to harbor toward those that made it professionally, thankfully, didn’t apply to Dylan as it did to most. There were a rare few, she supposed, that she didn’t want to watch crash and burn for her own inabilities. “The mixed bag bit is why you would it in perfectly,” she returned with a laugh. “I need another mellow personality to balance the team out a bit this off-season, I think. Plus, it’s always more fun when you’re in a scrimmage than in a real game.”

[luciahornby-blog]

“Any time, it would be my pleasure. Clothes are my favourite thing to talk about, especially now that I can afford all the nice ones.”

“That’s brilliant - it’s such a good cause, and you deserve some fun. Are you hoping for anyone in particular?”

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

“If there’s one thing that money’s good for, it’s certainly that. I’d bet you get some of the nice ones for free, even.”

“I’m always hoping for a Magpie or a Harpy, really, though I’d love an evening with Dylan Morgan or perhaps Mason Bray from Caerphilly. I’m undecided which I’m hoping for more, but anyone will do.”

[laurienshafiq-blog]

“Trying to say I’d cheat on my wife. What kind of false accusation is that?”

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

“That’s a harsh accusation from a man that’s not even on your team. But not unexpected either, I’m afraid. Competitors love to spread rumors, don’t they?”

[crispinpratt]

“First off, my present has to be the best. It’s no tag along present.”

“Secondly, who the fuck are you?”

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

“The suggestion stands nonetheless. Some kind of instrument is an easy go-to. Or Holyhead things. You could get him a couple bottles of mead or firewhiskey too, those are always welcomed.”

“And I’m Amber. Fonesca, one of the owners of the Players Lounge. You’ve been in with your fiance a few times. Vance and I are... friends.”

[tasia-montague-blog]

“I’m sure barkeeps are the least stressful of them all. There’s not much that a pint can’t fix.”

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

“I certainly like to think so. Plus, we have the bonus of familiarity already. So, you know, when the day goes downhill, I already know what drinks to mix.”

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

Have A Good Time | Amber + Dylan

[ballycastlebeater-blog]

“Coffee’s perfect, thanks.” The smile on his face was persistent, but not forced. Amber was usually able to make him smile easily, but he tended to put that down to her doing her job well. He was reminded again how lucky he was to have got her, someone he was familiar and almost comfortable with. The alternatives could have been so much worse - when he’d signed up for the auction, he’d been steeling himself for a day of interrogation about his personal life and the move from Kenmare.

“I think I might have to go for the Full English, then. I’m not supposed to eat that much fried stuff, but since you’re paying, I might as well.” There was an amused lilt to his voice, a slight smirk on his face, disguising the discomfort he felt about her paying for his meal. He took a sip of the cofffee when it arrived, remembering how often Ella would tell him not to drink it and feeling the same freedom he often did these days. Once he’d got over the initial adjustments, he found there were a few things being married had stopped him from - spending time with a beautiful woman like Amber being one of them. It may just have been his optimistic side desperately searching for an upside, but it made him feel better.

“Well, you paid good money, thought I might as well make an effort.” He’d ditched his usual t-shirt and scruffy jeans - Ella had called them ‘dad jeans’, which he’d always scoffed at but secretly liked - in favour of something smarter and more tailored. “Yeah, but you can wear jeans without looking like you spent the night on a park bench, which is what I normally look like, according to several sources.” 

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

His smile was so easy, lingering so well, that Amber quite liked it, really. As long as he was in a good mood, kept in good spirits, she was doing well enough to suffice, and she could maintain her own grin just as easily. “Please, as though the fried foods could do you any harm. I’d be willing to bet it’d be off your figure already by an hour into practice tomorrow with how Travers seems to run you lot ragged. Just don’t tell him I’m helping you break season diet. He’ll have my head if he finds out,” she joked lightly in return, letting out an easy laugh along with it.

Really, Amber liked him in his usual wear. The comfortable jeans that the style pressers tended to insult rather than understanding the comfort of and the easy t-shirts that were somewhat loose over his frame did no favors, really, to show off his Quidditch physique, but they certainly looked more comfortable nonetheless. Amber could hardly blame him dressing as he did normally. She did like the more pressed look, though, and made no effort to hide herself giving an appreciative once-over with his admission of making an effort, allowing a laugh with the self-depreciating response that was almost a compliment at the same time.

“I don’t think you could ever look like you spent a night on a park bench, love,” she insisted with a shake of her head, straightening herself up nonetheless. “There’s nothing wrong with a comfortably worn pair of jeans, after all. Women’s jeans just have the benefit of being designed to not wear as easily as men’s do. You wouldn’t know it, but I’ve had these for a good two years at least.” Of course, that lack of wear was largely because of additional charms, but that was entirely beside the point. “We can do anything you’d like to do today, for the record. I’ve not got a plan, and seeing as you’re forced to deal with my company for a full day, I figured it was better to let you decide how the poison’s administered, at least.” The ending turned playful again, and she tossed a playful wink along with it and a laugh.

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

“I’m off tonight.”

“Sofia’ll be around soon to ask for your drink if Cassidy doesn’t come by first.”

[ballycastlebeater-blog]

“I don’t take the rivalries that seriously, to be fair, and I doubt I would in your case. Still, I’d rather have you getting me drinks - and that’s not just because you’ve promised me some free ones, honest.” He was still surprised by how easy he was finding this conversation, and that he’d actually managed to make her laugh. “Do you ever miss playing?”

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

“Ah, but the free ones are certainly a plus, aren’t they?” she joked in return, easy and light. “I miss it sometimes. There’s nothing quite like a proper flight, you know? And the rush of avoiding a Bludger while you’re scoring a goal is irreplaceable. But the bar’s almost as good. I still get to mingle with you lot, even if I’m not playing up against you, and I’ve talked a few players into playing a scrimmage game with me during off-season. You should play with us when the season’s done -- Davidson plays sometimes, and Sofia, sometimes I can get Travers or Shafiq to come along, and I got Dodderidge from the Arrows to come last year. It’s a fun mix, you’d fit right in.”

[luciahornby-blog]

“Please, you could easily pull off this sort of thing. All it takes is confidence and a good figure, and you have both of those down.”

“Exactly! Desperation does funny things to people, though, I suppose. I take it you’re bidding, then?”

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

“Truth. I’ve been mellow the last couple years, though. I may have to pick your brain soon, find out what the up and coming trends are.”

“Oh, most definitely. I can’t resist a good auction, especially not when there are some rather pretty faces up for bid this year. Sofia and I are both bidding, I believe. The Lounge finally kicked off well enough to cover us both.”

[tasia-montague-blog]

“A healer. Who did you get?”

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

“Dylan Morgan. Lucky, lucky me, really. He’s a sweetheart, it should make quite an interesting day.”

“The healers are always nice, as far as players have told me. Not as stressing as reporters, at the very least.”

[laurienshafiq-blog]

“Please ignore Will Davidson. He’s a Magpie, he’s got no clue what he’s talking about.”

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

“I never listen to Will Davidson if I can help it. Though that’s a touch of an unfair generalization about Magpies. What nonsense is he spouting now?”

[crispinpratt]

“I’m socially obligated to buy my little brother something for his birthday, but I don’t know what to get him. What do you get someone who already has access to anything they ever wanted?”

[barkeepamberfonesca-blog]

“Well. I’m getting him a guitar I know he’s been eyeing for a couple months now but hasn’t bought yet. You could get him a case or another nice amp to go along with it. You can never go wrong with instruments for him.”