Liquor Lessons

The bar of the Wonderland Casino never failed to deliver on tasty drinks, entertaining conversation, and rich entrepreneurs flaunting their wealth much to the envy and or disgust of less endowed patrons. It was just another day on the job for Hops. It became another hard day when one of the bottles she was using slipped out of her hands and flooded the counter top with booze. Much to her horror, the liquid managed to pool off the side into a patrons lap. She did her best to rush and make up for the mistake, hastily sopping the liquor with a rag and apologizing profusely. "Oh crap! Uhh, uhh. Sorry. I am so sorry. Your drinks are on me tonight." 

Hops didn't even get to look up from the spill she was nursing when the sound of cackling laughter erupted from in front of her. Her eyes shot up to look at the unfortunate soul that she had just drenched the lap of, meeting with the crooked grin that Darlet wore proudly. "Technically, your drink is on me. But I won't complain if you waive my tab." He took the rag from her hand, padding down his legs with little care. "You could make me a Hopscotch while you're here. I'm sure the last guy you were making a drink for is scared he's next to become flammable."

Hops was one too many drinks in debt because of this particular bun. He never seemed to mind showing up with no money left after losing a few rounds of poker, and still trying to sweet talk his way to a drink either from her or other bar patrons. She was less than thrilled about the idea of giving essentially unlimited drinks to someone that would actually drink unlimited drinks if given the option. "Look. I can't just ignore other patrons for you right this second. But let me do you one better. Stay a little after the bar slows down and I'll teach you how to make one yourself."

Darlet seemed to stur that thought in his mind for a moment, and nodded approvingly at the notion. "Deal. I'm broke right now anyway, so if I can just buy the shit to make em at home, I don't mind that." That didn't surprise Hops one bit. But it was all the confirmation she needed. She slid the half empty bottle that had tipped over to Darlet, who looked like he'd been given the holy grail. "Say less." And just like that the chugging began. 

Hops finished her shift like normal. Occasionally nursing Darlet back to health with glasses of water after stupidly finishing the half bottle of liquor in under 2 minutes. Which despite being half empty from the spill, was at least thirteen straight shots by itself. Her moves were carefully calculated to avoid any further mishaps, and she got everyone squared away happier than they were before arriving. Once the only people left were cleaning staff and Darlet, Hops threw the towel down. "Okay. Wake up sleepy head." She jostled Darlet's sleeping head off of his perched hand. "Get over here and pay attention closely. I usually charge for this stuff, so consider this a favour for not making a scene."

Darlet got himself together, considering hopping directly over the counter, but changing his mind when figuring the amount of things he'd break trying to do it. Instead opting to walk all the way around the counter like a normal person. "Aye aye captain Hops. Teach me your enigmatic ways of drinkery mixery." Hops couldn't help but shake her head and rub the bridge of her nose. She had her work cut out for sure. 

She proceeded to grab out whiskey and a glass, pumping in various light syrups that totally changed the normally dark liquid in to a light pink. Next dropping in a sugar cube and one piece of ice. Finally stirring the drink around with her custom designed drink pick to top it off. It looked so simple, but Darlet was impressed by the accuracy. When she handed the bottles to him to replicate, she watched him dilligently. Seeing as he made little mistakes. Too much syrup, to many pieces of ice, forgetting the sugar cube. After the second attempt, Darlet was determined to make a drink that tasted exactly like Hops first demonstration. 

Hops nodded along as he did each step carefully and percicely. Just the same order she had done it, and with as much care as he could. His eyebrows seemed curled into a tense focus as he stirred the drink once, twice, three times. Pulling the pick up to his tongue and licking off the sweet liquid. His eyes darted up to Hops, and he slid the glass forward slowly. She lifted the drink to her mouth, taking a long drink of his last attempt at matching her recipe. When she placed the glass down, her eyes shut for just a moment. "Hmmm. I think that was a perfect Hopscotch." Darlet let out a loud sigh, apparently exhaling out the breath he had held in the entire time. 

"You know. That was harder than it looked. I didn't know this much precise ratioing went into drinks. I just figured you mixed shit together until it tasted good. Well, I mean. You do, but in a tried and tested way. Not like that one drink you gave me that knocked me on my ass so bad it landed me in Shibani's pile." He laughed and grabbed one of the glasses. Not the one he had just made, but one of the mistake batches. Downing the rest of the shot with a mildly disappointed grimace. "Not smooth. Yeah. Never messing that up again. It's like drinking sour whiskey. Not the worst mix I've tasted though."

Hops laughed at him and slapped his shoulder. "I should teach you an Angora Sour next then. That one is a real killer if you mess it up bad enough."