Bartending Basics

Aster stood behind the bar with Hops, his arms folded as his eyes watched the shorter succubun prepare the drinks. Aster hadn't initially planned on learning how to make drinks- he much prefered being served them, however the desire to spoil Cheri was too strong. So, much to his own surprise, he had signed up for a lesson with Hops. She was teaching him how to make a simple Sin and Tonic.

“First, you take your gin- make sure it's a good quality too for a better effect!” Hops explains as she moves about the bar, rummaging in a cabinet and pulling out a rather luxurious looking bottle of gin. Aster adjusted his glasses, looking it over and carefully taking it from her. He had to admit, she was a succubun of good taste.
“Understood. I can handle something like that.” Aster confirms, handing her back the bottle. Hops unscrews the lid, taking a quick sniff of it, her nose quivering a bit as she does so, before deciding it was in fact the right quality that she wanted.

“Before you pour the gin, you need good ice to pour it over. Ice has qualities, just like any other food item.” Hops explains, opening up the ice cooler swiftly. The bar was closed, not yet open for customers to come in and get their drinking habits satiated, but that didn't stop her from moving almost as swiftly as she would during rush hours. Aster can't help but think how lucky he is that he isn't a sloth bun trying to keep up.

Hops scoops the ice into the glass she has in one hand, and Aster follows suit. She gives a nod of approval at his matching the amount of ice she had put in. Returning to the front of the bar, Hops pours the gin with a flourish. ”Count to three as you pour, then stop as soon as you stop at three. It'll be just enough.“ Hops explains, stopping the flow of gin almost as soon as it had started- exactly three seconds of pour time. Aster furrows his brows, and nods. He takes the bottle of gin and mimics what Hops does.

One.

Two.

Three-stop.

She takes the bottle from his hands, screwing the lid shut and promptly putting it away. ”Very close, only a few moments too much of pouring.“ The compliment certainly doesn't feel like one, but judging by her smiling expression, Aster couldn't be too mad about it.

”Next, the tonic, and my secret ingredient.” Hops hums, taking a shaker and opening the top. She pours some tonic into it, as well as a pinch of whatever her secret ingredient really was- no lesson would ever share that. Aster watches before taking his own shaker and pouring some tonic in as well. He offers the open shaker to Hops, and she obliges him by adding a pinch of the secret ingredient. It made the drink smell a bit fruitier, but what kind of fruit it was a mystery. Pleasant though, at least; as sweet as sin.

“Give it six shakes, and we'll pour it all into the glass with the gin, and you'll be done! Strain it when you pour, so that there's not too much ice.” Hops explains as she does it. Aster watches how she does it first before attempting it himself. He can only hope that shaking the soda won't explode all over his clothes. He had just gotten them pressed! He shook it normally, though couldn't help but feel a respectful admiration towards the bartender as she shakes her with extra flair. No wonder she was so popular.

He sets down his shaker when she does, and they both pour the fizzing tonic into their respective glasses. Aster stops at the same time as Hops, making sure to not overfill the glass. Hops hands him a candied lime peel along with a fresh lime, garnishing hers. It practically sparkles in the dim lights of the bar.  Careful to not get any lime juice on himself, Aster garnishes his with the bright green fruit. The end result was practically sparkling, and he couldn't help but admire not only Hops' work, but his own as well. 
He looks to Hops happily, his eager look met with a wide smile from the other succubun.

“Excellent work! Get less clothing on, and quicken your pace, and you could maybe even be a bartender like me one day!” Hops exclaims happily, giving a small applaud. Aster couldn't fight the red rising to his cheeks out of embarassment.