2025-02-04 - Sabai Sabai at the Beach Club

Sura having already arrived and gotten all nice and settled in, she decided it was a gorgeous night to go out and do a bit of drinking and dancing. Thankfully, tonight is not one of the under-21-only nights which meant she could enjoy herself. She asked the front desk about the club before attending and was indeed wearing a summer sundress and curious if the water outside in the pool was heated or not. Something to ask the staff later, her sandalled steps take her to the bar, and leans there, waiting to garner the attention of the bartender.

Christopher has never actually been inside the beach club, and apparently tonight is the night that he's decided to check it out. He makes his way in and is immediately hit by the wave of music and the decided difference in temperature. It's much warmer inside the club than it is outside, so he seems glad that he'd taken the advice of one of the hotel staff and dressed a little lighter than he would for going out to the park.

He has on a dark blue button down shirt rolled up on his forearms and a pair of black comfortable trousers with black matte leather shoes that seem suited for dancing. Combing his fingers lightly through his hair, he makes his way toward the bar to find a drink.

It was a nice enough night, and after having spent entirely too much time running around and helping people chase around these suddenly appearing very cute but very odd critters, Nicholas felt that he owed himself a visit to the bar, and perhaps a drink. A treat, at least.

He ambles up towards the beach club in a light t-shirt and a pair of shorts, with some well worn sandals on his feet. A quick glance around to see if there was anyone he knew, which he figured was unlikely, even having been here at the park as long as he had, and absent that, moves up to adopt a casual lean against the bar, waiting for an opportunity to place an order.

Sura lifts up her arm to flag the bartender down when she notices that they have freed up, a happy smile curling her lips as she waits for them to approach her. She has a strong Thai accent when she speaks but her English is near perfect, "Can you make a Sabai Sabai, please?" she does happen to have a secondary drink on backup just in case her drink isn't able to be made since it is a specialty from back in Thailand. She is briefly distracted from the bartender, offering a friendly wave hello to Christopher and then Nicholas as they come up to approach the same bar. Her attention then shift back to the bartender with a bit of hope in her eyes.

Christopher smiles in return when Sura waves and says, "Evening," as he makes his way to the bar, giving a friendly nod to Nicholas as well when he notices him approaching, too. "How's it going?" The question seems to be directed to both of them as he leans up against the bar and considers what he wants to order, glancing over the drink specials. The music playing has him swaying just a tiny bit in time to the beat.

Nicholas gives a nod to both Sura and Christopher as he settles in at the bar. "No complaints. How are you doing?"He waits to allow the bartender to take care of both of them, as he glances over the list of drinks. He was not a particularly big drinker, and never had been, but after the past few days...he could use a chance to unwind.

Deciding that, as long as he was trying something new, he'd go further new, he nods to the bartender, and requests a Sabai Sabai of his own, assuming the bartender can make it.

Sura lets quite delighted as she is told that the drink can indeed be made. Her credit card is offered to the bartender to start her tab. That smile shifts to a warmer one as she greets Christopher back, "Evening. I am well enough, with minor jet lag but that is expected after nearly a whole day on planes." She looks curious as Nicholas orders the same drink as herself and inquires, "Have you had one before? Or just curious what one may taste like?"

Christopher smiles sympathetically to Sura and says, "Sounds like you had a long trip here." He assumes overseas, given both her accent and the length of the flights to arrive. "Hope it at least went smoothly." He still doesn't seem to know what to get, but when both of the others order a Sabai Sabai he asks, "What's in it?" glancing from Sura to Nicholas curiously. It's not a drink he's ever heard of before.

"Just curious." Nicholas smiles towards Sura, shrugging in answer to Christopher. "Figured I'd try something new for a change. And that brought me here, and then I figured...you know. Really new." He flashes a grin as he looks over towards the drink as it comes. "Sometimes you have to seek out those new experiences."

A couple of lights were flickering over the bar, tarnishing the resort's Look. Not the bartender's accuracy or speed, though, that girl is working those drinks. Anyway so a new guy comes in, tall and skinny, in coveralls, bearing a tool box.

"Oh yes, very much so. Thailand is so far away after all," Sura easily confirms Christopher's comment about a long trip. "Oh, there was just some minor turbulence but it could have truly been worse." She smiles brightly as she says, "Oh it s a drink native to my home, is has Mekhong, lemon or lime juice, sugar syrup, basil, and soda water. When translated it could mean happy happy or relax relax. It is a drink we often use to welcome others as a way to say please feel at ease or at comfort in my presence."

She looks to Nicholas as he answers and says, "Well, I do hope you enjoy the drink. Truly. I always encourage bravery. Much more fun with you take chances in life as opposed to wondering all those silly little what ifs."

She briefly looks around and spies Rocky with his tools and curiously says to her bar mates, "Do you think he is here to fix something?" She then realizes something and a mild flush crosses her cheeks, "Apologies, where are my manners. I am Sura Malee."

Christopher nods in agreement with Nicholas and says, "Same, really. I haven't been here before and thought it would be fun to come and check it out on one of the nights where everyone isn't expected to be in costume." He smiles a little wryly. "This felt a little.. easier."

When Sura explains the drink, he nods thoughtfully and then asks the bartender to try one as well. It seems the evening for experimenting. "I'd like one too, please." Glancing over at Rocky, he says, "Probably," when noting the toolbox. There's a smile for the repairman as well before he says, "Christopher Shelby. Or just Chris. Nice to meet you."

Rocky tosses off a salute to those who greet him, but his aim is for the bar. A couple words and he's on the electric panel, and a few minutes later: no more flickering from naughty lights! Only then does he, as the bartender asks him what she can get him in exchange (not that it matters terribly) and he asks for an old-fashioned. He turns towards the chatting coworkers and raises his cut-crystal glass to them. "Whaddup. I'm Rocky. And I am here to fix things."

"It is nice to meet you as well, Chris," Sura happily says to Christopher, before she follows up with, "I also hope that you enjoy the drink as well." She actually sighs in delight as Rocky fixes the light that was bothering her but was too shy and polite to bring up to the bartender's attention on such a busy night. She easily greets the handyman, "Well Rocky, you may be my hero of the night. The night was pestering the dickens of me, but you just fixed that. Thank you." She isn't about to snitch.

Christopher accepts the drink when it is brought over along with the others. He lifts his in salute to those gathered and then takes a sip, savoring it for a moment and then giving a nod of his head. "I like it," he decides. "Thank you for introducing me to it." He looks over toward Nicholas to see if he also enjoys the drink once he has a chance to try it out.

"If you're off the clock, you should join us," Christopher invites Rocky, assuming he is if he's drinking. Inviting him over to their side of the bar.

"Well, I wouldn't exactly call myself off the clock." But that isn't going to stop Rocky from pulling up a seat. His toolbox gets neatly shoved next to one big workboot. The old-fashioned gets its cherry plucked and bitten off the stem. "Sura?" he asks Sura, eyebrows inquisitive. "Did I hear that right? And Chris. What do you guys do?"

Sura smiles as the drinks arrive, her hand lifts hers in salute as well before she takes a sip from it. She looks pleased as she says to Christopher, "I am glad you like it and you are most welcome." She lightly taps on her nose before she says, "Yes, I agree, that is a wonderful plan," she says as she looks to Rocky.

She offers a nod as she says, "Yes, my name is Sura. I am from Bangkok, Thailand. I..." she pauses, trying to think of how to explain her more so lack of job. "I well, I usually party, gamble, study art for fun, attempt to write poetry, and i also attempt to paint?" She offers a nervous smile, her very soft looking hands a dead giveaway she hasn't ever done hard labor.

Everyone is currently chatting at the bar and all dressed to bask in the warmth of the location as a wonderful escape from the cold outside.

The club doors open and Annabelle walks in. Her eyes widen just a bit s she takes in the place. Then her green eyes slide down over her own outfit. She's just in a regular green sweater and a pair of jeans. Not dressed for a summer party. She walks through the crowd of people doing that circle walk.

This means that Annabelle is walking towards the bar where everyone is, but she's also turning around to take in all the sights. This draws her to not really paying attention as she -may- bump into one of them.

"I'm a programmer. I did a little bit of game development before I came here," Christopher says when Rocky asks what they do, leaning against the bar and poking at his drink with the straw, muddling it just a little bit. "But right now I'm on vacation."

"What do you like to paint?" he asks Sura, curiously.

"Evening," he says to Annabelle as she gets close enough to almost collide with the little group of people at the bar, trying to perhaps warn her that she's nearing other folks before she does actually bump into anyone.

Rocky takes in the list of things Sura and Chris do. "Nice," he says, "I like poetry. What game didya work--'ey! Lady, ya gonna break ya neck!" as he leans away from Annabelle, holding his precious drink up high.

Sura smiles to Christopher as she answers, "Oh mostly scenery things or some animals. I am by no means going to be famous for it or anything. It is really just a hobby mostly." She gasps as she watches the almost collision happen and relaxes when it doesn't, "Good golly, that could have been bad. I am glad it wasn't but to um, finish what... exactly, I realize now, I have no idea what you name is," she mentions to Rocky but looks to Christopher as she says, "He was trying to ask what games have you worked on." Her attention is then on Annabelle as she asks, "Did you wish to take a seat perhaps?"

BLINK!

Annabelle was just turning to look at Christopher at his greeting. Her large, bright smile prepared and at the ready, but then she's almost colliding with Rocky. She blinks and looks at him. "Why..." When Annabelle speaks it's with a Georgian accent. ".. would I break my neck? I mean it would make sense to spill a drink. Maybe break an ankle, but my neck? I don't see my neck being in the way---" She realizes that (1) she's babbling and (2) Sura is offering her a seat. "Well I don't mind if I do. It's right nice meeting the lot of you. Are y'all exploring the islands too? There is just so much to see, don't ya agree. Oh! I'm Annabelle by the way."

Christopher almost answers the question, but then there's a near collision and he winces slightly. But then Sura is reminding him that Rocky had asked a question. "Rocky," he supplies for her, since the man had introduced himself. Then he says, "The game's called Errant Nights. It's a small MMO."

When Annabelle seems like she's at no risk of breaking or spilling anything, he says, "Hello. Sort of. Exploring this particular bar, at any rate. And new drinks." He lifts his glass which is still mostly full.

"Oh! You're here for the actual," Rocky gestures, flapping his hand around, "the whole actual thing. I'm probably not supposed to talk to you, we got this Rules of Behavior a mile thick, I'm not gonna read all that. I'm in Construction, I actually get paid to be here. Building more park stuff, fixing it when it breaks, yannow." You know, right? "Anyway," giving Annabelle a side eye and hitching himself a slightly different direction on his barstool, "it's nice to meet all y'all," dropping into a fake Southern accent. Like he has any business making fun of her when his own accent comes from New York, he sounds like he could be Mook#2 in a movie.

"I am Sura, and I only arrived at the resort a few hours ago. The front desk suggested I come here as a good place to unwind after my very long flights," Sura mentions with her strong Thai accent to Annabelle. She looks grateful as Christopher volunteers Rocky's name and then answers the question, "Oh, that sounds very intriguing. I will have to look it up when I get back to my room." She looks to Rocky and gently shushes, "Now, now, none of that, I only saw you come in and take a seat, nothing more. No need to scurry off. Please. Enjoy yourself, that would make me happiest. And it is nice to meet you Rocky." A kind smile is given, she truly won't say anything and will deny seeing him should one ask her and claim she was too drunk to see anything.

Annabelle cants her head at Rocky. It's almost like she's trying to place his fake accent, but then she smiles. "It is always good to meet new people." Her eyes move to Sura and she brightens more. "You have just arrived. Oh, how fun is that? I'm sure you are going to do wonderful here. Are you working or just visiting with us?" Annabelle glances at the mostly full drink of Christopher's. "I'm still exploring all these islands. Isn't it just wonderful all the rides and the places to go here? Which bar has been your favorite? OH! We should exchange numbers so that we can go explore them together." A slight pause. "I mean all of us. I say the worst things sometimes. What is the new drink you aren't really drinking?"

Christopher grins when Rocky realizes that some of them are actual tourists. "Pretty sure you can talk to us. I've met several people who work here. They've all been pretty cool. So you get to build parts of the park? That's cool. Are you working on some of the new stuff they announced at the tree lighting?"

He offers Sura a smile but says, "Oh, it's.. I mean, you can. It's just a game. And not one of the bigger ones."

Christopher glances down at his drink and says, "Oh.. I'm drinking it... just slowly." There's been a lot going on since he stepped up to the bar. "What was it called again?" he asks Sura, since she was the one who first ordered it. Then to Annabelle he says, "I think I like Bootlegger's the best. I like the pirate theme."

"I'm totally going to be working on the new stuff." Rocky crooks one finger to indicate 'new stuff'. "I can't tell anyone anything about that, I'm dumb but I ain't stupid." At that moment, his phone bleeps. He sighs, knocks the rest of his cocktail back. "Now, I'm on shift. Catch ya later, alligators." He stands from the barstool, unexpectedly tall, he unfolds like a preying mantis. Grabs his toolbox, which looks like it should pull him straight to the floor, and moseys on out.

"Oh, I am only a tourist. And I do look forward to exploring all of the park. I will be honest," Sura mentions to Annebelle. "And I not mind exchanging numbers."

Her attention is back on Christopher as she asks, "Did you say there was an announcement during a tree lightning? What was it about?" She clearly missed that! "It is called Sabai Sabai and pirate theme? I may have to check that one out next time I desire drinks."

She offers a wave bye to Rocky as he has to take his leave and says, "I am super curious what he is working on. I know he can't say but doesn't change that I am wanting to know very badly."

"Oh!" Annabelle is quiet. Should she be hanging out with tourists? There is a pause as she's trying to remember what she read. Then she smiles that bright smile again. "I work at one of the places here. I do hair and makeup for those that want the whole experience." She looks between them. "Pirate bars sound amazingly cool. So are you here for something special? Just the weekend or..."

"During the tree lighting ceremony in December they mentioned that they were adding a few new attractions to the park -- a shipwreck ride in Venture Cove, some sort of dungeon escape in the Boo'edwalk area, and then a whole entire new area called the Lost City which is out past the Mystic Mountain," Christopher says when Sura asks about it. "Sounds like the park is expanding. Guess there's a lot of construction going on." He nods in the direction that Rocky left, "Probably working on one of them at least."

He smiles at Annabelle and asks, "Like for people who want to do the whole prince and princess thing? I think I've seen some of your work." As for what he's here for? "Just.. to take in the magic of the place. And I've met some cool people here who work the park."

Sura smiles as she says, "I am stay for as long as I desire, which may be a very long time depending. But I am curious about this whole experience you speak of." She takes out her smartphone, tapping in her code and offering the device to Annabelle as she asks, "Can you put your name and the name of your place so I can come and see you while you are on shift. I am up for trying anything at least once."

She looks back to Christopher as he explains what happened during the ceremony. "All of that sounds wonderfully exciting. I can't wait for the debuts. And I am sure you are correct. He must be working on at least one of them if not multiple ones."

Annabelle takes Sura's phone easily enough to type in her number. "Of course. We'll just have to meet up again and go exploring." She's pretty sure that's all right. Then a bright smile towards Christopher. "You'll have to come in and see me next time I'm working. Maybe w can make you into a prince or princess. Sadly, though I have to get home for sleep. I have an early appointment."

Christopher chuckles and says, "I think I'll probably just stick with being a peasant. I'm not sure the life of royalty is for me." Though there's a faintness to his smile. "Was nice to meet you, Annabelle. Have a good night."

He then nods to Sura and says, "I'm looking forward to seeing what they end up being.. if I'm here long enough to see them open. I'm not sure when any of them are scheduled to open to be honest."

Sura takes her phone back and rests it on the bartop for now. "Thank you Annabelle, I look forward to visiting you. Hope you sleep well." Her attention is now focus on Christopher as he comments about sticking with being a peasant and asks, "Not a prince just for a day? Could be fun. And, that is fair regarding the new attractions, we do have no idea when they will debut. I can at least hope it is while I am still here. However long that may indeed be."

"I have no idea what I'd do if I were a prince for a day," Christopher admits. "Maybe that's why I'm here. I can not be a prince and still enjoy living in a practical fantasy. Sometimes a literal fantasy." He then asks her, "So you've only arrived today? What do you think you'll visit first? After you've had a chance to rest?"

Sura takes some time to think before she responds to Christopher, "Yes Chris, I did only get here today and after I have had some time to sleep in a proper bed, I am pondering the Boo'edwalk to start, just wander and see what catches my attention. What is your favorite ride?"

"I think the gryphon race rollercoaster is my favorite," Chris says when asked. "I like the feeling that it's a race and you never know if you're going to win or not, but you get to press the button and feel like you're having some sort of affect on the outcome." He takes another sip of his drink, enjoying it now that the activity has slowed and people have drifted off, leaving him some time to people watch. "I haven't spent a lot of time on the Boo'edwalk, but I haven't been anywhere in the park that wasn't a good time."

Sura smiles as she says, "I will make sure to do that ride soon. It does sound like a lot of fun." She finishes off her drink before she mentions, "I am sure I will have fun but I think all my jet lag is catching up with me. It was lovely again to meet you Chris, hope to run into one another again soon." She pauses before she asks, "Did you want to exchange numbers by chance?" Her hand gesturing to her phone before picking it up.

"It was nice to meet you, too," Christopher says as Sura prepares to go. "I'm sure we will." Though when she asks to exchange numbers, he nods and says, "Sure, we can do that." He takes out his own phone and unlocks it, opening up the contacts so that she can add herself to them.

Sura smiles and taps her name and number into his phone as she says, "I hope you rest well whenever you do get there Chris, sweet dreams." She remembers about her card and settles her tab before she heads out to go back to her hotel room,