<strong>Max Guntherstadt -- The Bar -- Trying to Drink in Peace</strong><br/><br/>Chatter, chatter, chatter. Like a bunch of monkeys that just realized their mouth holes could produce sounds, the other patrons around the bar flapped their jaws incessantly and annoyed Max to no end. He stared darkly at the beer in his hands and kept his own mouth shut, his usual storm clouds settling in quite comfortably just above his head and shoulders. At least he had remained unnoticed, so far. He took a moment and gathered his toolkit as silently as he could and slid a few more seats away from the socializing toward the other end of the bar. Even that wasn't enough to grant him his desperately desired peace, but at least they were no longer chirping in his ear.<br/><br/>Max lifted the glass to his lips and sipped at his beer, his discontent momentarily forgotten. He hated this place on general principle, the way any prisoner would hate his prison no matter how gilded the cage might be, but even he would admit that the Pleasure Dome probably had some of the best and highest-quality beers in the world on tap. Sitting at the bar with the gentle malt bitters running down his throat, it was almost enough to let him pretend he was here of his own volition.<br/><br/>Almost.<br/><br/>Despite his attempted detachment from the goings-on, he couldn't quite help overhearing some of the near-by conversation. Vanderholt was suspiciously quiet, but Miss Yttrium was her usual loquacious self, and her other companion with the slight glint of madness in his eyes was positively effusive. From the snatches of conversation he deduced the man was a weapons designer, apparently of some renown, and judging from the finances being waved about a thoroughly successful one.<em>'Wonderful. Just what this place needs; another lethal maniac. Probably blow us all up before he leaves. No doubt I'll get the blame for <strong>that </strong>as well,'</em>Max brooded over his beer.<br/><br/>He was nearly finished with his drink and preparing to return to work when Miss Broussard entered the Bar and drifted toward Selena's little party. From the corner of his eye he watched as she inserted herself with skill and tact into their conversation, her natural charm clearly on full-blast. Max felt his teeth grinding tightly together as she mentioned Chang in such glowing terms and hunched a little further over his glass. He nearly failed to notice when she turned over her shoulder and spoke to him.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=89494.msg3940446#msg3940446">Quote from: Zillah on 26-11-2010, 23:59:45</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"And you, Maximillian?" Marie asked. "How goes everything for you, darling?"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>When he finally realized she was addressing him he nearly spun off of his stool and jerked around to meet her, uncertainly meeting her eyes. "Ah...yes,<em>fraulein</em>. Quite well...thank you. I'm afraid I must return to my work; if you'll excuse me." Max turned back to the bar and gulped down the last of his drink, stood from his seat and gathered his tool bag and started to leave.