Roman

[leglacier]

Jackson didn’t even pause to weigh the question, answering with the same blunt honesty he used when discussing recipes, as if the words had already been measured out long before he spoke them. ❝ Just Riverbank Residential, ❞ his gaze drifted over the room before settling briefly on the rim of his glass, thumb tracing the condensation there. ❝ But I’ve been…circling the town for a while now. Looking for someone. ❞ The follow-up caught him mid-thought, his brows knitting faintly as he glanced up, clearly thrown, not by the question itself, but by the implication behind it. For a second, he almost answered it literally, almost said something about leases and distance and the quiet independence he’d built here in Ennora. Then it clicked. A small breath left him, something softer, and he shook his head with a faint, self-aware smile. ❝ No… I didn’t, but they did. ❞ His grip tightened just slightly around the glass, not enough to show strain, just enough to ground himself. ❝ I think they’re lost, ❞ he added after a beat, voice low and steady. ❝ ...and I’m just trying to get them back home before they…hurt themselves. Or worse. ❞

[ennora-roman]

Roman let out a dry, gravel-edged chuckle, lifting his glass but not drinking yet, just turning it slow between his fingers. “Funny thing about lost people,” he muttered, brown eyes looking over at the man. “Some of ’em ain’t lookin’ to be found. You go chasin’ too hard, you might just scare ’em deeper into the swamp.”

He finally took a sip, longer this time, then set the glass down with a soft clink. His gaze drifted to the man, studying him like he was trying to place him, wondering if he had ever seen him before. “You sure you’re doin’ this for them?” he questioned.

[ennora-roman]

LOCATION: Roman's Trailer WHO: @icanbuymyownflowers

The trailer smelled like something that had been forgotten too long, stale beer, cigarettes, old grease, and the faint sourness of neglect. Roman hadn’t bothered to clean. He rarely did anymore. Bottles crowded every available surface, some tipped over, others still half-full from when he passed out and forgot about it.  Currently, Roman was passed out in his old recliner, one of the few remnants he still had from his previous life.

It was the knock that startled him, he rubbed his hand over his face and groaned.  He braced who it might be, maybe Santiago checking in on him.  It was when he opened his door that he was stunned to see his youngest before him.  “What are you doing here?”  

Roman did not have the best relationship with his children, although Theodore was the one who seemed eager to remedy that at times.  The other two, well Roman couldn’t remember the last time they spoke a word to each other.  Well besides with Samuel would occasionally drive his drunk ass home, but usually words were not exchanged between father and son.

“Come on in,” he muttered as he shifted things on the floor with his foot trying to make a pathway towards the small living room.  “So, how are ya son?

[icanbuymyownflowers]

As soon as she noticed his playful smile, she knew she was about to regret seeking him out. She was glad he noticed how out of place she looked. Wasn't surprising, dressed like she was... But she didn't want him to get confused. ''I wouldn't keep allowing you around me if I didn't think you were worthy of my company,'' she sat down on the empty seat next to him. She pulled a face when she realized some beer had been spilled on the counter where she was about to lean on. She kept her arms to herself.

''You're not so bad. I'd enjoy this all even more if your compliments were sincere and not sarcastic,'' she teased back. She was really just fishing for compliments. She knew her worth, but she liked when others did too.

[ennora-roman]

The man placed his hands one on top of the other over his chest when she deemed him worthy of her company.  “Don’t know what t’ say.”  He watched as she settled down next to him, the expression upon her gorgeous face of disgust.  It amused him to no end, because she clearly was too high-class for such a hole in a wall.

“Not sure what I did recently for all the compliments, but keep going.  Although let's move more towards how I make you moan,” he smirked.  Roman leaned in, his hand settling on her knees, gently easing up her dress.  “Trust me darlin’, all my compliments are sincere.”

[leglacier]

The door’s weight seemed heavier than it should’ve been when Jackson pushed through, the low hum of the bar settling against his senses like static he couldn’t quite tune out. He lingered a second too long at the threshold, eyes scanning as if still searching for someone who wasn’t there, before he accepted the offered stool with a quiet exhale, shoulders dipping in tired gratitude. ❝ …thanks, ❞ Jackson murmured, voice rough around the edges as he sat, fingers briefly pressing into his temple before signaling the bartender for a whiskey highball, clean, restrained, something cold and uncomplicated that wouldn’t cloud him more than he already was. He let his gaze drift unfocused across the room as if mapping exits, faces, possibilities, until it softened just slightly, exhaustion finally catching up. ❝ Been driving for hours, ❞ Jackson admitted under his breath, almost to himself, before glancing sidelong at Roman, a faint, uncertain crease forming between his brows. ❝ I’m…a long way from home, ❞ he added, then after a beat, quieter, ❝ Is there someone here who’s just like me? ❞

[ennora-roman]

Roman leaned back a little when the man sat, chair creakin’ under his weight as he gave the other man a slow once over look to measure the man up.  “No problem,” he murmured.  Whether he admits it or not, it would be nice to have a little company.  And strangers often worked better than those he knew.

“Drivin’ from where?”  The older man questioned, curious and making light conversation.  “I see,” he commented.  “Dunno, this town seems to pick up a lot of people lookin’ for somethin’.”  He then looked up towards the bartender needing a refill.  “Any reason you left home?”

[athousandtaintedroses]

Aspen lingered a moment before taking the seat, like she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to be here. In the end, she slid onto the stool, a rain cloud lingering over her head which she couldn't quite shake. “That’s a pretty generous offer for someone you don’t know. Do I look that terrible?” she asked, her tone flat but not unfriendly. “But I’m not gonna turn it down.”

She exhaled softly through her nose, her attention drifting to the bottles lined up behind the bar. “Didn’t expect to end up back in Ennora,” she said after a moment. “Got pulled into things I thought I’d already walked away from.” She kept it vague, unsure of how much she really wanted to disclose without a little liquor to numb her senses. “Still trying to figure out where I fit in all of it now.”

[ennora-roman]

Roman watched her settle in, noticing that hesitation.  He didn’t comment on it outright, just shifted his glass in slow circles against the bar.  “Not terrible per se, just that something is plaguing you.”  He shrugged before nodding up towards the bartender to swing by to take the woman’s order.

Listening to her speak, he nodded.  At one point he thought about disappearing from the town, but he had children…although staying really didn’t do them any favors.  “Well damn, sounds serious.”  Roman’s eyes gazed towards her.  “On the bright side, tonight you ain’t gotta figure out shit.  Just have a few drinks and let that be tomorrow’s problem.  So what will you be having?”

[monstersunderurbed]

Visiting bars was becoming a bit of a habit for Nin since coming back to Ennora. It had been almost embarrassing when she walked into the 345 bar and got asked if she wanted her usual, a glass of red, before she could even greet the bartender. She didn't want to be remembered like a loner at a bar, or someone a bit too old to visit a club, so she went a little bit further than her usual downtown in hopes of perhaps making some new acquaintances.

The Rusty Dog was far more casual than the places downtown, and far closer to her current residence. She felt the actually rusty air the second she walked in, and, although she was too shy to actually look around in search of familiar faces –hopefully someone who would not hate her– she acknowledged the not-so-small crowd gathering in that place that evening. Keeping her eyes down, Nin made her way to the bar where she was greeted by a rough voice that did not come from behind the bar, but rather beside her. "Oh– do I really look that bad?" Nin chuckled, clearly not taking it to heart, but she did feel slightly self-conscious about the way her unwashed hair was perhaps not falling the right way. "Wait, only the first?"

[ennora-roman]

Roman let out a low chuckle, before his eyes flicked over towards the woman looking her up and down.  For once, not in his usual crude way.  No this time, he was just taking in the details and making a quiet assessment.

“Nah,” he smirked.  “Don’t look bad at all doll face.  Just maybe someone who could use a breather.”

“And yeah,” he added, the corner of his mouth tugging into a faint smirk, “only the first. Gotta make sure you’re worth goin’ broke over before I buy drink two.”

The man motioned for her to settle down next to him as he lifted a finger towards the bartender to come their way.

“By the way, name’s Roman.  So what brought you into a place like this?”

[littlesugarnspice]

"I knew the thought of me all hot and bothered over you will be interesting enough," she winked as he finally settled and once she had poured his drink, she left the bottle on the inside of the bar and leaned forward, chest on the bar top, looking at Roman from below, batting her lashes. "I always have had a soft spot for..." she said, extending the for and smiling playfully before finishing "...your tongue."

Daphne could be too much; she knew that, and everyone around her knew that. She rarely had a filter and even more rarely thought hard about what she was saying to people. But that was what most liked about her, the unpredictability and the constant motion. Tapping fingers against the bartop as if it were drums, she locked eyes with him and stopped her body's movements to focus for a second. "I bet that is why I get so many tips from all the tourists," she said, motioning with her chin to the group. "You've been hiding from me," she repeated her text's accusation.

[ennora-roman]

“As a gentleman, I could hardly allow you to keep thinkin’ about it when I am capable of makin’ it a reality.”  Once she finished pouring the drink and leaned forward the man’s eyes darted straight towards her chest.  There was no denying he wanted to press his face between her breasts.  A devilish smirk formed at the corner of his lips.  “Interestin’ enough, my tongue has always had a soft spot…for between your legs.”

Roman’s smirk deepened, slow and knowing, like he had all the time in the world and none of the shame to match it. “Well now,” he drawled with his southern accent that often managed to slip through. “If I’ve been hidin’, darlin’, it’s only ‘cause a man’s gotta recover sometime…and you don’t exactly make that easy.”

[icanbuymyownflowers]

Roman wasn’t usually the kind of man she chased after. He didn’t have much money, he didn’t have the best reputation, but… maybe that was what attracted her. The fact that he had absolutely nothing, but was willing to give her everything he had on his person that night. He was also a romantic, kind of old-fashioned, but didn’t have any expectations. She could enjoy it without having to really ask for it and could then forget all about him until their next time.

She hoped he would never find someone to really love, no matter how mean it was to wish someone eternal loneliness. "I knew I would find you here," she said as she sat next to him in the shitty bar she’d never usually step foot in. Sign she had been looking specifically for him. She looked completely out of place, but barely a few years ago, this would’ve been her scene.

@ennora-roman

[ennora-roman]

Roman let out a low chuckle the moment he heard her voice, not even needing to turn his head right away to know that it was Rosita.  Slowly turning to see the woman, a playful crooked smile settled upon his lips as his eyes took her all in.  “Damn,” he murmured under his breath, just in awe of her figure.

“What brings a pristine, high-class woman here?”  He questioned in a teasing manner.  Licking his lips, he lifted a brow.  “You came all the way here just for lil ole me?”  Roman pointed to himself.  “You keep comin’ around, one might think you actually enjoy company.”

[ennora-roman]

LOCATION: The Rusty Dog WHO: Open (3/3)

Roman sat at the far end of the bar where the light was dimmer and the noise didn’t hit quite as hard.  There was a half-full glass of whiskey resting between his rough fingers, unsure how many refills he was on. His sleeves were rolled up with his pack of smokes tucked away safely up there.  He meant to leave a couple of hours ago but never quite got around to it. Nothing is waiting for him at home.  At least here, there was a familiar, comforting atmosphere with the people around where he felt a little less lonely.

He glanced up as the door opened and noticed a figure stepping into the bar.  Most nights he tended to either drink alone or flirt with any woman who gave him the time of day.  But, he felt lonely and just in need of company so he pulled out the stool next to him.  “Looks like you’ve had a hella of a day.  First drinks on me.”

[amyinnile]

Location: Old Mill District Closed: for @ennora-roman

She'd just been given a couple of days of down time when the town museum had announced a big temporary exhibition loan of 18th century art from none other than Ca' Rezzonico in Venice. VENICE, of all places. This was a big deal, requiring a massive coordination between Ennora museum's staff, terms negotiations, paperwork, agreement on return protocols, the duration of the loan and finally, insurance of specialized transport. A week later of being swarmed with work and overtime, Amy had to pull extremely late hours to oversee the paintings and sculptures being delivered. This being a cross-ocean transit, the shipment after clearing all of the numerous steps in between, finally landed and was being delivered to the museum somewhere around midnight due to time differences, delays and such.

Two to three hours later, Amy was finally allowed to leave, in desperate need of sleep. Though knowing that she didn't have to go to work the next day (who'd even be able to?!), just thinking about what will come in the following weeks made her want a drink as well. But it was too late, or rather too early to be this irresponsible. Walking down the street to reach the parking lot where her car was (she'd arrived during rush hour and found her usual parking space right in front of the museum taken and was too busy to actually report it so she left the matter as it was), she noticed a familiar figure a bit further ahead from her. If she did not know the man, her otherwise unshakable confidence would likely quiver a little to see a random guy skulking about at this time of the night. As it were, it was perfectly normal to find Roman on the streets at night, as he bounced a strip club nearby.

Amy knew this man very well and he was no threat whatsoever. If he shaved sometimes, he'd look even friendlier. "Roman? Is that you?" Her clicking heels approached, a rare moment when Amy actually regretted heels because she'd been standing and running around in them all day.

[ennora-roman]

Outside the strip club. Roman had been leaning against the brick wall just outside the alley, finishing the last drag of a cigarette as the muffled bass from the club thumped behind him. The man had been off his shift for ten minutes and eventually pushed himself from the wall and began to walk.  Sucked having a piece of shit truck that picked the most inconvenient times to stall out causing him to have to walk his ass home.

A figure down the street caught his eyes, a bit late for someone to be out that wasn’t part of the club scene.  He squinted down the street and noticed Amy Everly.

A crooked smile pulled at his face as he flicked the cigarette to the ground and crushed it under his shoe.

“Well I’ll be damned,” he called out his voice a bit rough as he walked over towards her. “What’re you doin’ out this late pretty lady?"

[nimueh-rpg]

[cordun]

open to: anyone location: cinema The movie theater was dark and the air felt close, bordering on stuffy for his liking but Corey couldn't complain. It was fucking freezing back at the trailer, subzero temps made his place rival the ice levels in Crash Bandicoot 2, and no matter how many layers he tried to bundle under, his shitty little space heater cranked up to the max, his toes still went numb. So he did what he did best, turned up one pharmaceutical high later at the sole cinema in town and snuck into the screening room. Cozied up at the very back, his booted feet on the seat up front, and meditated on the projected visuals. He zoned in and out for the better part of an hour, and at least he was warm. But a pair of eyes kept glancing his way, and eventually he wondered if they suspected him of something. Of not being where he was supposed to be, because he stuck out like a sore thumb anywhere he went. Or maybe that was just a Negative Core Belief he carried about him, if his one and only therapist was to be believed. Screw you, Theresa.

But the staring was beginning to get to him, the third time now. "Alright, you got me. I didn't pay for a ticket," he said, the confession feeling like it echoed through the mostly empty theater particularly loudly.

[ennora-roman]

Few people were at the theater, something Roman appreciated.  There was no point in heading back home to have to come back to town a couple of hours later.  So the man settled on watching a movie on the big screen.  On occasion, he would swing by and watch a film.  Although it felt weird to be sitting alone, remembering at one time he had a family and they would sit several rows up and share two large popcorn and the kids would get their Icees, while Carina and him shared a soda.  But that was ages ago and he was here alone…well somewhat alone.  

The man’s eyes kept looking over at some kid, he wasn’t exactly sure who he was or if he had seen him.  The place was dark and well, Roman often refused to wear his glasses thinking it made him look older.  “Huh?  No one here gives a fuck.”  He replied back.

[mourninglure]

Skipper? That’s the first thought that came to Diego’s mind and then it was followed by a warm smile. He can’t remember the last time someone called him that, if ever, and for some reason he found that coming from the man in front of him he enjoyed the nickname. “Suggestions?” He straightened up a little, gesturing toward the menu board like he was about to give a tour. “I guess that really just depends on your taste buds today.” He tapped the edge of the counter once, thinking it through.

“If you’re feeling something sweet, I’d go with the caramel latte—smooth, not too cloying, with that nice little burnt-sugar edge. Or the honey lavender if you want something softer, floral but not over-the-top. Both come hot or iced, your call. He slid his gaze back to the guy, reading him a little. “If sweet’s not your speed and you just want something straightforward, we do a solid black coffee—dark roast, nothing fancy, just strong and clean. Or an Americano if you like it a touch lighter but still bold.”

Diego’s smile turned a shade warmer, playful. “And that’s not even getting into our cold brew selection. We’ve got the classic, a vanilla bean one that’s stupidly smooth, and a salted caramel cold brew that’ll ruin you for regular coffee forever.”

[ennora-roman]

Still a bit hungover, Roman nodded.  “Yes, suggestions.”  What he thought was going to be a simple task turned into drinks being listed with a lot of information.  Blinking repeatedly, he kept his mouth shut trying his best to be polite because hell, it wasn’t the kids fault he was in a shitty mood.

“Fuck,” he grumbled under his breath as he shook his head.  “Um,” his eyes reread the menu and all the different drinks.  And people did this on a regular basis?  Come to coffee shops and have a specialized drink order?  “Timeout did you say iced?  Who the hell gets coffee iced?”  Shaking his head at this damn generation, he finally settled on the honey lavender.  That should go with whiskey right? 

“Alright, honey lavender.  I guess.”

[littlesugarnspice]

Where: Rusty Dog With: @ennora-roman Outfit: click

"You are my new favorite customer, can't believe you won't be staying here longer," Daphne was saying as she leaned on the bar, lace covered arms covering the space between herself and the man that stood there. It was calmer than usual, definitely calmer than a normal Friday night and she figured it had something to do with the fact that one could have their ass freezing out there. But even now, there were people here. A group of stranded tourists who were staying at the motel and had come out for some drinks.

Daphne had been pulling good tips all evening. One of them left a number folded into a napkin as she waved him off toward his friends, the paper slipping easily into her pocket.

And as she took out her phone to kill some time the door opened, letting in the freezing air and Daph looked up through escaped curls to see Roman walk in.

Now, that was indeed one of her favorite customers, not just smooth-talk.

A sight for sore eyes, as one might say. Her lips' corners tugged up and she leaned forward again, eyes twinkling mischievously as she waited for him to come closer. "Ah, here I thought you'd bail on me because your balls might freeze off by the time you come," she teased as she gave him a wink, turning to grab a bottle with his poison of choice.

[ennora-roman]

As he entered the establishment, Roman reached down for his cell phone to check the time.  Three hours, he mentally told himself.  He had to be at work, even on chilly evenings such as these, the club was open.  And someone had to protect the dancers, even if it meant just allowing one to borrow his leather jacket to protect them from the frightful cold.

Roman eased his way towards the bar counter, his dark eyes set on Daphne.  “All I heard was you have been thinking about me,” he smiled as he settled onto one of the barstools.  “Any other parts you have been thinking about?”  He questioned as his tongue brushed against his upper lip.

“Who are these people?” Looking around, it was evident there was a group of people that weren’t from these parts.  

When the drink was placed in front of him, he reached for the glass and took a sip.  “Damn, you do such an amazing job with that pour.”

[mourninglure]

for: open location: the bean

Diego leaned against the counter, wiping down the bar for the third time out of sheer boredom, apron dusted with coffee grounds and a little milk foam heart dried near the pocket. Thirty minutes. So close he could taste it. And then, as if the universe was here to cure his boredom, the bell above the door jingled. Diego straightened instantly, slapping a hand to the counter like he’d been summoned to duty.

“Hello, Scotty? Yeah, it appears we’ve beaned another one up to the motherboard. Get the espresso engines running!” He grinned wide as he looked up, eyes bright with mischief before softening into something warmer. “Welcome to The Bean! You’re in luck—I’ve got about thirty minutes left on shift, which means…” he leaned in just a bit, lowering his voice like he was letting them in on a secret, “you’ve got thirty minutes to have your out-of-this-world coffee made by the coolest barista in the whole galaxy.”

A beat. Then a light laugh, self-aware and easy. “Well…maybe not the whole galaxy. But on this block for sure.” He tapped the counter once, playful. “Don’t you let anyone else tell you otherwise. So—what’s your poison today?”

[ennora-roman]

It had only been about thirty minutes since Roman climbed out of bed and headed to The Bean.  More often than not, he usually got the bland black coffee at the strip club that he would not so secretly spice up with some whiskey.  However, today he felt like something different.

As he entered, he sighed hearing the kid speak.  “Lucky me,” he murmured to himself as he slowly made his way inside to look at the menu.  Everything to him looked way too fancy.  Did simple drinks exist anymore?

“Uh, what do you suggest, Skipper?”  He inquired with a cocked brow.