purpleandgray | (no subject)

That high spirit had Merlin smiling widely as they walked in. He understood easily the way Dean felt about it. Even if music wasn't close to his heart like it was Dean's. Art of any kind tends to invoke the same sort of passion to create and to enjoy the creations. He knows people who are routinely annoyed by jazz, especially live jazz, calling it directionless and unpredictable and boring. Merlin can see some of that, but his personality yields to the conversational way the music is played, he likes the creativity instead of dedication to the original composing.

He steers Dean towards the bar first, sliding behind him as they manage to squeeze at the counter. "What're you drinking?" he asked rather loudly near his ear.

"Bourbon with ice," he said, turning his head just slightly to see Merle out of the corner of his eye. "Any recommendations for which brand?"

Dean knew what he served at Oddfellows, a mix of simple, straight forward alcohol and then the magical ones which he didn't expect to find here in New Orleans. Unless there was a magical club. Maybe he would ask later and see if there was one. He could find it if there was. Dean was good at that.

"Is there more than one?" Merlin asked curiously. Dean obviously knew more about drinks than Merlin ever would. He just ordered Bourbon or Jack and got exactly what he ordered. "This is your area of expertise," he continued with a laugh.

If there was a magical bar in New Orleans, it would be news for Merlin. Completely possible, though, he wasn't big on the after hours entertainment. He knew some of the practitioners in Nola but not necessarily their connections with each other.

"Oh, honey," Dean laughed and turned back to the bartender. He talked with him for a few minutes about what was available and ordered for them both. He got a decent brand, mid-range in price that wouldn't burn on the way down but be warm and slightly fruity.

He pressed the drink into Merle's hands. "Here, try this. It's a step above your usual I bet."

It was a little pricier but it wouldn't break the bank. A lot of people were scared to try things because of the price tag but he would introduce Merle to the world of alcohol at not unreasonable prices. It was going to be fun.

Merlin watched him discuss about the order with the bartender, a small smile pulled onto his lips. You could see that Dean knew what he was doing. Merlin had no clue honestly. He could maneuver his way through a demon joint, sure, but he mostly was just coasting along undetected in these situations.

Besides, back when he had spent more time on Shadow Earth, it hadn't been this complicated.

He took the drink and gave it a try, his brows arching in a positive surprise while a small sound, genuinely pleased, rose from his chest. "It's better," he confessed.

"Of course it is!" Dean laughed and took a drink of his own. It was good. He knew his business. "Do you want to see if there's a table or find a place at the bar?"

They were sharing a drink and listening to music which could be done on their feet but somewhere to sit and appreciate he figured they'd have a better time. It was hard to dance with drinks in their hands after all. Merle probably didn't know any modern dancing since he spent more time in his other realms.

"I'll let you know what the brand was so you can get it again."

Oh come now. Merlin spent a lot of time in shadow Earth during disco fever. But Dean might not want to see him dance like people did back then. Actually, that was much more Luke than Merlin. Merlin has been the one laughing his ass off while Luke swayed his hips to Village People.

He nodded at the question instead of trying to answer vocally over the loudness of the crowd and music. He would be interested to know this brand, definitely. It was a miracle how a few more bucks could make a difference. He let Dean lead the way but then nudged him towards a few standing tables near the band playing, right beside a series of open windows. The breeze kept the air pretty fresh and they could stand close to each other so talking would be easier.

"Do you keep your eye on the local bands in NYC?" he asked as they set their glasses on the table and Merlin was glancing at the men dressed in black suits on the small stage, just finishing with a piece. A young woman in a white dress was climbing on the stage with them, greeting her audience with a brilliant smile.

"I keep an eye on some of them," he said as he leaned his elbows on the table, shoulder brushing Merle's so he could talk close to his ear. "Usually ones with magical singers or bandmates. I'm fairly strict about the magic only rule or magically aware."

Oddfellows was meant to be safe for everyone magical. It was their place only. Normal people could come as long as they knew that magic existed and were brought in by someone properly magical.

"Usually, though, I've got a DJ," he explained. "Who does mixes and improvises. It's easier. Live bands take a lot of contract work and then the set up and crowd control." It was a thing.

Merlin sipped his drink while listening to Dean, his free hand reaching to land on the small of Dean's back. He nodded, smiling to indicate he heard what Dean was saying.

Yeah, it seemed like more trouble than it was worth.

"Do they include magic in their show?" he asked curiously while twirling his glass on the table, idly rolling it between two fingers. It was a fascinating concept. Merlin was more used to mages who would have found something so trivial to be an insult to their powers.

Which was total bullshit. There was no need to glorify magical powers to any religious state.

"I'll allow magical lights and special effects but nothing else," he explained, really pleased that Merle took such an interest in his club and what he did for a living. People thought it was all fun and games but there was real work involved. "Some people use magic to make themselves sound better or cast siren like effects. I don't allow that."

He leaned into Merle a little, shoulder to shoulder against the table. "It's neutral ground, you know. People can cast magic as long as its benign."

Anyone who broke the rule was immediately kicked out and banned from ever coming back in. Dean didn't fuck around when it came to his rules.

(no subject)

what're you training for?

A new science show for the museum I work at

nodnod

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