Stood Up [Kelor, Open]

[Will Tagg]

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

Staring at his watch was a bad idea, and Will knew it. Granted, agreeing to do this whole...thing in the first place had also been a bad idea, but that had at least been easier to justify; his coworkers had been pestering him for two weeks about it, he was just trying to get them off his tail. Besides, even his sister had mentioned he needed to get out more. Everyone was telling him that going on this blind date was the right thing to do. So as he watched the 34th minute go by with no sign of his date, the reindeer had to wonder: if he was doing the right thing, why was he being punished for it?

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

Another twenty minutes, and he was going to just leave. This was humiliating. Maybe if he was a better actor, he could just play this off as him going out for a solitary drink and enjoying a night to himself; he could even pretend to go off to the casino for a fun night of highly-irresponsible gambling, then sneak out, drive home, and read something until he forgot the whole rotten affair. Instead, Will remained seated on his bar stool, idly fiddling with the garnish of his virtually untouched cocktail and feeling sorry for himself. He glanced at his watch again.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

An idea came to Will, causing him to perk up a bit and look a little--dare I say it?--hopeful. Perhaps his date didn't have his phone number, and had tried to call the bar to explain her situation? Perhaps she was caught in traffic, or the trains were delayed, or she'd had a family emergency and needed to reschedule. He'd just have to ask a bartender, and while non-standard interaction with an employee...well, anywhere made the reindeer anxious, he was going to have to risk it here. "Uh--excuse me, bartender? ...sir? I-I just have a quick question?" he called, half-raising a hoof in an awkward little wave to get the bartender's attention.

In retrospect, behavior like this was probably why no one ever believed he was actually old enough to drink.

[Kelor Rokona]

Every day of Kelor's life held a certain level of drama to it. The aftermath of a mammal's worst days, their best gambling and dating wins, and quite often he saw those who were just bored. He'd seen the whole spectrum of drunk and depressed. He would claim that he was entirely prepared for anything. Quite commonly the social hyena saw the looks of crushed dreams and humiliating nights. It was a nightly occurrence anymore, a date went poorly and the other walked out. Or a break up which would be especially bad in public; Kelor had to chase quite a collection of angry dates out of the establishment (in the name of peace for their valued customers, of course). The job and bar patrons were such a roller coaster of emotion but goodness this mammal loved it. Save those who turned violent in their drunken states, particularly when denied extra drinks, he loved his customers too. How could he come every night if he couldn't make himself enjoy the time? Kelor just wasn't the type to do anything he did not like.

Tonight was like any other Roko had experienced. Fairly full but not packed, leaving him with time to chat here and there. To keep stock of who was at his bar and how long they had been. His eye had been set on a particularly lone reindeer for a while now. He'd served him that drink what felt like forever ago but he'd yet to actually see him drink any of it. Had he not noticed the all too familiar somber expression and watch checking he had seen a million times, he might have gone to ask what was wrong with the drink before the mammal got angry. Instead he was playing up his tricks for a middle aged meerkat couple who had finally decided to venture out for a night out 'like the kids do' and wanted to see something amazing. Kelor, of course with hardly a humble bone in his body, had jumped in to present his skills. The hyena grinned widely as he set two very colorful and meerkat sized drinks in front of the quite pleased couple, proud of himself as he always did.

"Let me know if you two need anything else, and enjoy." Kelor told them, but his ears perked as he heard a voice from an otherwise silent seat. He gave a pleased nod to the meerkats before he nearly hopped over to Will. Oh he wasn't going to pass up talking to the poor guy and figuring out his story. He had his guesses but the bartender had learned to keep his guesses to himself. As well as holding back the amused chuckle that tried to come out at the little waving motion and being called sir. Nobody called him sir.

Leaning on his hands on the bar, the blue haired employee tilted his head curiously to the seemingly shy and awkward customer. "Is the drink alright? I can make another for you," he started with a partly acted concern. He knew that his drinks were good, it was a matter of taste. "But of course you can ask a question. I love questions." He kept his wide grin on his striped face, a sparkle to his eye. 

His curiosity would kill him one day, it just wouldn't be today.

[Will Tagg]

The moment the bartender looked up at Will's call, the reindeer regretted opening his mouth. What was he doing? The hyena clearly had a bar full of other customers, and now that he was done entertaining the meerkat couple, he probably had much better things to do than indulge some lonely reindeer's pathetic, last-ditch phone theory. Certainly, his time would be better spent interacting with customers who were actually finishing their drinks so they could buy more. But the hyena was already making his way over; too late now.

"Is the drink alright? I can make another for you."

The question sent an immediate pang of guilt through Will, who glanced down at his cocktail as though just remembering he'd ordered it. Again, he felt stupid for getting the bartender's attention; seeing the untouched drink must have been like a slap in the face to him. It certainly would have been to Will, if he were mixing drinks for a living.

"But of course you can ask a question. I love questions."

"R-right, I...okay. Thank you," Will replied, already stumbling over his words. "And the drink is fine, it--no, it's actually really good, so it's not--there's no problem with the drink." You're wasting his time, get to the point. Clearing his throat, the reindeer tried to continue more articulately. "I was just wondering if anyone had called here asking for a Will Tagg, or--or to mention they were late, or..."

If he'd already felt ridiculous just getting the bartender's attention, hearing words this desperate come out of his mouth humiliated Will even more. He groaned and covered his face with a hoof; he could feel himself flushing under his fur. "S-sorry, that sounded a lot less pathetic in my head," he said miserably. "I'm...guessing I already know the answer's 'no,' anyway." Uncovering his face, the reindeer looked down into his drink, which somehow seemed a lot more inviting than it had earlier. With no more reason left to wait, he took a proper swig of it, and much to his relief, managed to do so without going into a coughing fit.

Though he'd already lost so much face, he wasn't sure why he cared anymore.

[Kelor Rokona]

Of course his drink wasn't the problem. The hyena leaned on the bar to wait for the answer though, the most straight of looks on his faces. No hurt, no anger, and he dialed down the excitement as well. His confidence wouldn't let him be offended even if the reindeer had laid into him everything wrong with his drink or presentation. Maybe in his first days it would have hit been a horrible slap in the face but today it was simply a part of the job. He had learned to take criticism and simply offer a different drink and brush it off. To worry about every customer who wasn't a fan of something he made... well he'd be long gone from this job that was for sure. The case was different here but also not an unusual one for Kelor.

"And the drink is fine, it--no, it's actually really good, so it's not--there's no problem with the drink." The reindeer and his shy stutter were just adorable. The bartender couldn't help the smile as he listened. Not only for the comment but also just appreciation of Will's so sincere but awkward way of speech. "Oh well thank you. I am glad the drink isn't a problem. I'd hate to have someone with a drink they aren't pleased with." The striped mammal shrugged with an honestly pleased look. Not that it would have caused him any pain to make something else. He loved his job after all.

The real question though broke Roko's heart enough that he stood up straight from his leaning position. He'd known, deep down, that something of the sort was wrong. His mind raced to put together a gentler response for the poor guy. He rubbed his paw through his hair trying not to find amusement in the other mammals response to his own words. Kelor didn't even have a chance to speak before he was apologizing about being pathetic. Maybe he was but he certainly wasn't the worst of Kelor's customers. "Well, you wouldn't believe it, but I have totally heard worse questions. Don't worry man." He tried to reassure him, leaning forward on his arms again as he still thought a bit about his actual answer.

"Unfortunately Will, guessing that's your name, I haven't gotten any phone calls like that. I do wish I had though, she's missing quite an enjoyable night if you asked me." The eager employee's smile grew back onto his face at that. Every night was enjoyable with Kelor there. No way was he going to let this guy's night remain such a downer. He certainly did not prefer to see his customers downing his drinks in sorrow or embarrassment, nor did he like anyone leaving without a smile on their face. 

"I mean, you got me here serving you. Guaranteed good time there. Who needs the no show?" Kelor tilted his head with a big toothy grin that many were quite familiar with by now.

[Will Tagg]

Will's question--and more importantly, the pity party he threw immediately after--seemed to make the bartender uncomfortable. He'd stopped leaning against the bar, instead straightening to a more rigid posture; his face, meanwhile, made it plainly obvious that he wasn't sure what to say. Again, Will felt a pang of guilt, this time for dragging some hapless barkeep into his little dating crisis. He couldn't blame the hyena for looking uncertain how to respond, and he was somewhat surprised when he leaned forward and started reassuring him.

"Well, you wouldn't believe it, but I have totally heard worse questions. Don't worry man."

At that, Will could only glance down and give a tiny, awkward laugh. He may as well have tattooed "don't worry" on his forehead so he'd see it in the mirror; then perhaps everyone he knew wouldn't have to keep repeating it at him. At times, it grew rather frustrating, as though other mammals assumed he had a choice of whether or not to worry about things. Of course, the bartender couldn't possibly know that he felt this way, and the reindeer knew his intentions were kind. Especially in this situation, there was no way he was going to rebuff someone for being kind to him.

"Unfortunately Will, guessing that's your name, I haven't gotten any phone calls like that. I do wish I had though, she's missing quite an enjoyable night if you asked me."

And just like that, the last gasp of desperate hope evaporated into thin air. Will sighed, wilting a bit in his seat and taking another swig of his drink. Before, he'd had the faint hope that his silly theory was actually correct, and he could've been comforted by the mere possibility of it before, even though he'd been reasonably certain there was no message for him. But now?

Now, he knew for a fact that there was no message. His date simply hadn't cared to show up, or to tell him she wouldn't be there. There went his evening.

"I mean, you got me here serving you. Guaranteed good time there. Who needs the no show?"

Not wanting to disappoint his spontaneous emotional support, Will forced a weak smile and looked back up. "Y-yeah, she's missing out. Big time..." It sounded about as convincing as though he'd been forced to read it at gunpoint. The reindeer sighed morosely; someone was here trying to make him feel better, and all he could do in return was sit there being sad. "Look...t-thanks for indulging me, I just...I-I had to be sure." Will paused only long enough to take another sip of his drink. "So I guess there's not much point in sitting here looking pathetic, huh?"

[Kelor Rokona]

Kelor was not about to turn this reindeer away. Or encourage his self doubt, that was not something he wanted either. No, the hyena bartender had determined that if he could help it he was not letting anyone leave this bar without being in a better mood than they were when they got here. Unfortunately being honest was not going to do that job for him as he saw the mammal visibly shrink in his seat. He had to think of something... his attempts at cheering the other male up fell far too short of their mark. Kelor gave a deep sigh as he tapped a couple of fingers on the bar in his thought.

"She really is missing out. Come on, she didn't even show, so it can't possibly be you that is the problem." The hyena tried to convince him although he knew there were multiple ways to believe it was about him. She could have not liked how he looked, she could have come in and seen his nervous posture and left. Still he wasn't here to actually offer any of the possible explanations. Will already sounded horribly unconvinced without Kelor's help in adding doubts for him. The hyena was no reindeer expert but he did not think his looks could turn someone away from a date. He'd seen a couple whose looks probably could do some of that.

He had to be sure. It sure sounded like Will was ready to get up and leave just now. That was something that Rokona just could not allow. He set a paw down firmly on the bar again, looking to meet the reindeer's gaze intently with his own. "Let me make you another drink, man. We can still salvage this night. You don't gotta be totally alone here just cause some loser never showed. You only have to look pathetic if you let yourself feel pathetic after all." He tried to explain and gave the sad reindeer a bit of a wink. He was in the business of listening and making sales. Keeping the reindeer longer would give a chance to both satisfy his own love for interaction and brightening days, while hopefully satisfying his boss' desire for more cash. Even if he did buy a drink for the poor individual himself.

"You gotta let yourself have a little fun still. You came all the way out here." Kelor held his paws up with a bit of a grin as if just the fact that this was a nice and colorful place should cheer him up.

[Will Tagg]

The bartender's heavy sigh surprised Will, and he slightly raised his brow in response. What, exactly, did he mean by it? He must have seen things like this happen all the time, perhaps having to endure yet another lonely mammal feeling sorry for himself was just exhausting. But somehow, that didn't seem right. Will wasn't the greatest judge of character, but this hyena had seemed far too friendly and caring to just be annoyed by his misery.

But that meant he must actually be saddened by the reindeer's plight--and that just made Will feel even more guilty. Just because his night was ruined didn't mean anyone else's had to be, after all.

"She really is missing out. Come on, she didn't even show, so it can't possibly be you that is the problem."

Will just shook his head slightly, knowing just as well as Kelor that that wasn't necessarily true. He may not have been unattractive, but he was quite certain that he was no stud; she could easily have walked in, seen what was waiting for her, and left in disappointment or even disgust. She could be berating his friend for setting the two of them up, because what was he thinking sending her on a date with a loser like that?

This was just speculation, and Will tried to tell himself that. His own sister would no doubt have smacked him on the back of the head for feeling sorry for himself, and he knew it. But the cycle of negative thinking had begun, and it was difficult to claw his way back out of it. Even when a total stranger was going out of his way to be comforting.

"Let me make you another drink, man. We can still salvage this night. You don't gotta be totally alone here just cause some loser never showed. You only have to look pathetic if you let yourself feel pathetic after all."

"You clearly haven't met me," Will answered, the faintest tinge of humor in his voice. Feeling pathetic was essentially the reindeer's favorite pastime, and one he wasn't likely to give up anytime soon. But he had to try; if not for this friendly bartender, then for himself.

"You gotta let yourself have a little fun still. You came all the way out here."

"I...I suppose you have a point," Will admitted. He glanced at his drink and then threw it back, finishing what remained in the glass. "But...can I ask a question?" he continued hesitantly, eyeing the hyena curiously. "Why are you being so nice? I-I mean, you must see this sort of thing all the time..."

[Kelor Rokona]

Kelor knew that he wasn't familiar enough with the reindeer and his life to really make him feel better. Had he been a friend, he likely would have told him off for such thoughts. He didn't like to encourage those feelings. While sad people drank more, Kelor had a duty as a person to not encourage that feeling. His boss' pockets were not worth that much. So the bartender watched his reactions intently to try and read just where he could go to help him. The statement he already made had far too many holes and ifs in it. He should have figured it wasn't exactly making his point.

The hyena crossed his arms, looking over the other mammal with a bit of a thought. "I can generally tell in the first few minutes who is actually pathetic and who is having a bad day. At least for one night give yourself a little break." Kelor insisted, most certainly not about to give up easily. "I'm good at figuring people out. Kinda in my job." He added with a slight wink to him before he went to go grab a new glass for him. Even if he had to buy it, this sad reindeer was going to have another drink. 

He glanced over his shoulder with a curious little smirk at that. Of course Kelor had a point, it was not his first time with all this after all. He turned back once he had what he needed, he set the glass down and gave a slight tilt of his head as he started to make a second drink for the sad mammal. Twirling a bottle a bit was enough to amuse a feline who had been sitting nearby most of the night, allowing him to continue his focus on Will instead. 

"Sure, ask away. All I ask is that you try this in return." He finally said after seeming to think a bit about the request of asking a question. At that he reached one paw to delicately pass over the new glass with a silent grin. The question shouldn't surprise him. With how pathetic he felt of course Will thought he didn't deserve the hyena's kindness. But Kelor was an odd one. He just had to fin a way to explain that well.

"Of course this isn't the first time I've seen something like this. Trust me, you're not alone. And also, you don't always want the date to show up..." Kelor chuckled and leaned on the bar once more. "You aren't the first, and you sure are not going to be the last one. But as far as I see, if you don't like people, then you shouldn't be doing the kind of job I am. Money is okay, but I like talking." He smirked proudly at that and tapped a couple of fingers on the bar as he thought.

"I also believe entirely that everyone should know a good night of fun. It's my duty to help everyone I can to have that experience." Kelor set a paw to his chest dramatically as if it were literally some sworn duty to serve the public. He had to have fun after all.

[Will Tagg]

"I can generally tell in the first few minutes who is actually pathetic and who is having a bad day. At least for one night give yourself a little break."

Wouldn't that be nice, Will thought to himself. He then immediately chastised himself for wallowing in self-pity, especially right after the bartender had already called him out on it. Normally, he would have gotten this kind of support from his older sister; she adored her brother, but she never hesitated to use tough love when it was necessary. Unfortunately, it was already night in Zootopia, which meant that it was probably the wee hours of the morning back home. If Will called her now, she'd probably bite his head off.

"Sure, ask away. All I ask is that you try this in return."

Will nodded and grabbed the new drink, sniffing lightly at it. It smelled fantastic; how had the hyena guessed that he liked cherries?

"Of course this isn't the first time I've seen something like this. Trust me, you're not alone. And also, you don't always want the date to show up..." Will laughed a little at the joke, a shy smile starting to form on his features. He began drinking his new cocktail as the bartender continued. "You aren't the first, and you sure are not going to be the last one. But as far as I see, if you don't like people, then you shouldn't be doing the kind of job I am. Money is okay, but I like talking."

That much made sense. And the hyena was certainly good at both aspects of his job--not many could have pulled Will out of his sadness this effectively. Generally, he'd have just left, gone home, and moped for the rest of the night. Instead, he was actually engaged in conversation with a stranger and enjoying a decent drink. Was this even him?

"I also believe entirely that everyone should know a good night of fun. It's my duty to help everyone I can to have that experience."

Will's smile broadened a little, and he directed a grateful look at the bartender. "Well...t-thank you for helping to salvage my night," he said softly. "Though I do feel bad, I--I haven't even asked your name."

[Kelor Rokona]

Kelor couldn't help the grin that formed on his face as Will took the new drink. Of course he knew what the reindeer would like, it was his job to make such guesses. Most didn't even know what they wanted when they walked in. By the time they left, they were very pleased and had found their preference, even if they were stumbling themselves into a cab. It didnt settle the hyenas ego either as the reindeer did not complain about the drink. He even laughed at a joke. That was certainly a major accomplishment.

He was thankful certainly that the customer didn't leave. He was sweet and kind and definitely a bit more interesting. It was a nice relief from the ones who ordered him around or insisted or insulted all night. Kelor could appreciate anything nicer than that. How could he not feel bad for the gentle mammal in front of him? He was in a bar alone, and if Kelor hadn't been working he might have offered to be his date instead.

"So, how's the drink?" The bartender asked as he casually leaned his weight on his elbows and gave the slightest of grins, his tail swinging with interest behind him as he did. "I can make a stronger one but you just didn't seem like the strong drink type." He admitted. He looked like the type who normally stayed home at night rather than coming out to places like this.

Kelor let out a sincerely amused chuckle and closed his eyes momentarily with amusement. "Oh don't feel bad. I rarely get asked my name, you're not the first or last on that one either." He assured him in hopes to provide comfort. He surely wasn't offended. He became use stock a lack of name, or drunk nicknames that came from many of the customers who didn't know or care their limits.

"Since you want to know, I'm Kelor, and I am pleased to assist in making your night a little better." He set one dark furred hand down firmly and looked intently at Will, leaning on it now.

[Will Tagg]

Having already sniffed it, Will finally took a proper taste of his new drink. It was, as he had guessed it would be, fantastic; delicious and smooth, yet not overly sweet. It was obvious the bartender knew his craft well, and while Will tended to be put off by animals that seemed too confident in their talents, he had to admit that this hyena had earned that privilege.

"So, how's the drink? I can make a stronger one but you just didn't seem like the strong drink type."

Will shook his head, smiling. "N-no, you're right, I'm not," he admitted with a slightly embarrassed laugh. "This one's, well...perfect, actually." He'd have to keep himself from drinking it too quickly; delicious or not, it was still liquor, and the reindeer was well aware of his limits. He'd only ever been drunk one time in his life, and it wasn't an experience that he was keen on repeating--especially when he was going to have to make his way home alone. He already felt awkward enough getting a Zuber and fretting over whether or not to make small talk with the driver without having to do so completely plastered.

"Oh don't feel bad. I rarely get asked my name, you're not the first or last on that one either."

The comment made Will feel slightly bad for the hyena, and he knitted his brows lightly in sympathy. "That hardly makes it right," he said gently. After all, this bartender had gone out of his way to cheer him up, and was doing an excellent job of it. He deserved some recognition for compassion like that, even if it also happened to get him some extra sales. Quite frankly, he deserved those, too.

Or was Will just too easily attached to those who were nice to him?

"Since you want to know, I'm Kelor, and I am pleased to assist in making your night a little better."

"More than a little," Will replied, smiling gratefully. He couldn't help but be amused by how officially Kelor seemed to be treating the situation, as though cheering up glum customers was a solemn duty of care. Perhaps it was, in the hyena's eyes; Will had devoted his life to helping others in the best way he could, what if that was just how the bartender viewed his own vocation? "I-I do mean it, really--I may be short a date, but y-you've got to be about the nicest mammal I've met since I moved here." He made less fleeting eye contact with Kelor as he spoke; still shy and nervous, but he wanted to be certain his sincerity could not be questioned.

[Kelor Rokona]

The hyena flicked his ears as he watched Will take a drink. He knew the reaction would be good. The likelihood of a failure in such a situation was so minimal that he likely would have bet money on the mammal's positive review. He was in a betting establishment after all. He sat watching with interest though. While confident he looked for feedback anywhere. After all, he didn't get to his skills without having listened on the way there. He leaned forward with a confident look but his ears were perked and primed for listening and really paying attention. Did he call it... perfect? The bartender's face lit up and Kelor stood up straight at that with a proud look to his face. "Well I am glad it's right. I was worried I might not have picked the right flavor." He admitted his small bit of uncertainty. There was in fact a chance that the reindeer would not have liked cherry after all.

"Trust me, you don't need to get absolutely drunk or have strong drinks to enjoy an evening here." Kelor assured him with a gentle smile and a wag of his wavy tail at that. He was always so excited for positive responses. He loved attention too but wasn't so determined that he forced others to know his name or remember him. So when this patron seemed to sympathize with him he wasn't exactly sure how to feel. He loved attention but certainly not out of sympathy. Truly, it did build up to eventually bothering him when guests simply ignored him or dismissed him as just the guy who handed over a drink. The hyena wasn't one to complain.

Kelor tilted his head a bit at Will carefully, setting his paws on his side of the bar and trying to comprehend sympathy from the guy who just got stood up. "It also isn't right that your date didn't give you a chance. You are a ton nicer than many who come in here." He commented to Will truthfully. He didn't want to rub in that his date had ditched, but he couldn't see why the guy deserved to be ditched in the first place. Even some of the ones who cried to him still treated him lesser than Will was already. "But thank you for asking. Its nice to have a name sometimes, isn't it?" He asked with a gentle smile. He really did appreciate it.

The hyena grabbed himself a cup of water from behind him, returning his gaze to the customer quietly. He likely should have been engaging others, but the couple he had been serving before were still working on their drinks and the return customer on Will's other side surely didn't need more to drink. Plus he wasn't the only one working tonight leaving him able to take a moment. Everyone needed a break every now and then after all. "Me? The nicest you've met? Where did you come from and where do you live now?" He asked in almost disbelief that he could have earned such a title. After all, he was just a bartender. And Will was so nervous about saying it that Kelor wasn't sure if he was still thinking for other nice examples or if he was just a shy individual. 

Kelor himself truly did believe it to be his duty to take care of his guests. It was his place in society. For some people he was the only mammal willing to lend an ear for the night. Some had nobody else and for those Kelor was determined to be there. He never knew, he could end up being that one kind face that changes someones mind from doing something crazy. Everyone needed someone as far as he was concerned.

[Will Tagg]

"Well I am glad it's right. I was worried I might not have picked the right flavor. Trust me, you don't need to get absolutely drunk or have strong drinks to enjoy an evening here."

That much was already clear to Will, who was genuinely starting to enjoy himself in spite of the circumstances that had brought him here. Really, as long as he was distracted like this, it was easy to briefly forget that he'd been unceremoniously rejected by someone who hadn't even bothered to show up. He could go home and feel hurt and unattractive later; for now, Kelor was helping him not to dwell on the more unpleasant aspects of this evening.

"It also isn't right that your date didn't give you a chance. You are a ton nicer than many who come in here."

Will bit his lip and averted his gaze, blushing slightly. It was obvious that between the misery of his ill-fated date and the cocktails he'd been slowly consuming, his emotions were even more sensitive than normal; while he wasn't exactly buoyed by the reminder that he'd been stood up, he was more flustered to be paid a compliment by a near-total stranger.

Really, though, Will couldn't understand why anyone wouldn't be nice, especially to someone as helpful and earnest as Kelor. It wasn't as though simple kindness cost anything, and it felt far nicer to be friendly than it did to be sour and rude all the time. The reindeer could barely stand to be cross for more than an hour or so before it began to drain him of all his energy. As far as he was concerned, being mean just wasn't worth the effort.

"But thank you for asking. Its nice to have a name sometimes, isn't it?"

Managing to make brief eye contact again, Will nodded and grinned shyly. "Y-yes, I'd say so."

"Me? The nicest you've met? Where did you come from and where do you live now?"

Kelor sounded so incredulous that Will couldn't help but be a little amused. Was it really so shocking that he could be the nicest mammal the reindeer had encountered? He was rather exceptionally kind, it wasn't exactly an odd accolade for him to receive. "I-I mean it, really I do," Will reassured him. "And I'm from Hoofentry, originally, I-I just moved here for medical school a few years ago. Now I live over in Tundratown."

Glancing curiously at his conversation partner, Will straightened up a bit. "What about you, are you a local?" A moment passed before his eyes widened in mild panic. "O-or, I'm sorry, i-is that not appropriate, should I not be asking you personal questions while you're at work? I didn't--I mean, I hope I'm not improprietary, I-I just, it..." Well, that didn't take too long to fall apart, did it?

[Kelor Rokona]

Kelor didn't intend to upset him further, and was rather glad as although the reindeer looked away and blushed a little he was still not upset with Kelor. He didn't get up and leave. Even quiet was better than someone just getting up and leaving entirely. Even if he wasn't touching his drink at the moment it was still a win for the hyena. He could claim break time and simply spend it chatting up this particularly sad reindeer. Some deserved longer than a passing comment here and there. It wasn't a surprise for Kelor to spend his break with a customer, particularly the emotional ones. His boss claimed he should have gone to be a therapist, but Kelor insisted that many he talked to here would never have sought out help from some rich guy with a fancy degree. He much preferred his current position.

Despite how dismissive the hyena seemed to be, Will seemed to still consider how anyone could be so rude to not ask his name. The bartender simply watched his new-found friend with the slightest grin. "I like having a name. I mean, I could call you just that reindeer at the bar who likes fruity drinks. But for one, that takes far too long. And it's not as interesting either. So, you gave me your name and I thank you for asking mine." He said with sincerity in hoping to convince the other male that he was in fact thankful of the kind gesture.

Kelor was the most lovable cocky individual in Sahara Square, and yet he didn't believe one bit that he could be the nicest this guy met. He was a hyena serving drinks in a bar on the night the guy's date stood him up. How could Kelor be the nicest he had met? However he had been, he felt bad for this guy. It just meant he had to make today even better for the poor guy. "Then I guess I've really done good. I like being nice, but I'm sure if I'm the nicest you've seen how... absolutely wonderful manners in this city are." The hyena scoffed and shook his head a bit. Zootopia had lovely people, and some pure jerks really. He had met all kinds of them.

"Hoofentry? You know that is a new one for me. Is that a little place?" The bartender asked with a curious tilt of his head, one of his ears falling a little as he did. He didn't mind looking a bit like a dorky dog. "AND you're a doctor? That is impressive. I mean, you graduated right?" He rubbed his neck a bit with one paw as he realized how cruel that was had the reindeer not graduated medical school. He hadn't thought of that. The last thing he wanted now was to offend the guy. "Tundratown is a nice place... though it's a little cold for someone like me. This fur isn't that thick." He rubbed some of the fur on his arm. His mane was nice and thick but it didn't do anything for heating himself. He didn't normally need it. This bar area was always a perfect balanced temperature too.

The hyena set up straight at the subject of himself. Oh he loved to talk about himself. He also could not hide the amusement that bubbled up for just how adorable Will and his shyness were. "You have got to be the sweetest mammal I've ever met." He said with a paw to his chest in an exaggerated motion. "Your concern touches me, but I promise that you can ask me whatever questions you want to." He placed a paw on his arm for just a second before he pulled it back. "I'm on break now. And to answer the question I've grown up in this part of town my entire life. And my parents before me. None of us have ever lived outside of Sahara Square, although I have traveled the most out of my family." He answered with a thoughtful look to the ceiling for a moment and a bit of a smile. "So if you ever need help finding anything in town, I totally know how to find stuff." He assured him, keeping his cool despite the panic on the reindeer's face. It was cute really, and he just wanted to hug the adorable animal and assure him that Kelor was the last one he should worry about.

[Will Tagg]

"I like having a name. I mean, I could call you just that reindeer at the bar who likes fruity drinks. But for one, that takes far too long. And it's not as interesting either. So, you gave me your name and I thank you for asking mine."

Will smiled awkwardly, taking another sip of his drink to hide the fact that he didn't know what to say. Unfortunately, taking said sip didn't afford him all that much time to concoct a clever response, so after he set his glass back down, the best he could manage was a small "...you're welcome." Normally, the reindeer would've been embarrassed, but somehow he wasn't overly concerned about it, for once.

Oh gosh, was he dying?

"Then I guess I've really done good. I like being nice, but I'm sure if I'm the nicest you've seen how... absolutely wonderful manners in this city are."

"Oh, they're absolutely splendid," Will muttered before taking another sip. Granted, it wasn't like the mammals back in Hoofentry had been shining beacons of kindness; they were all still mammals, just like any other, and there were good and bad apples in the bunch. But they had, at least, seemed to do a better job of hiding their negativity and avoiding outright rudeness. That said, Will wasn't all that certain he preferred passive aggression to the more blunt, open manner of expression he'd encountered since moving to Zootopia. At least here, he was more likely to know if someone actually had a problem with him instead of having to wonder what they meant by 'Good day.'

"Hoofentry? You know that is a new one for me. Is that a little place?"

"Er..." The question vaguely bothered Will. Sure, Hoofentry wasn't exactly the world-class metropolis that Zootopia was, but over 300,000 residents wasn't exactly a 'little place.' Were Zootopians so preoccupied with their own giant city that they didn't realize there were others out there in the world? But he wasn't going to hold this against Kelor. It was a petty thing to get upset over, and besides, being indignant just wore him out. "N-not 'little,' exactly, just not...as big as here?"

"AND you're a doctor? That is impressive. I mean, you graduated right?"

Will nodded, chuckling slightly. "I hope so, or else someone should chuck me out of the hospital."

"Tundratown is a nice place... though it's a little cold for someone like me. This fur isn't that thick."

That made sense. "Well, you needn't rely on fur coats," he replied. "I think they make...coat-coats now." Will wrinkled his snout in confusion, as though not quite certain how that joke had escaped his mouth. Someone up at Comment Control in his brain clearly wasn't doing their job, which may have had something to do with the drink that... Wait, when did I finish it? the reindeer thought, examining his empty glass in further bewilderment.

"You have got to be the sweetest mammal I've ever met.

Oh dear... While many social graces were challenging to Will, few made him as acutely uncomfortable as having to accept a compliment. His entire stance shifted as he seemed to shrink into himself, clutching his drink tumbler in both hooves like a safety blanket before him. He felt rather warm, as well, though whether that was because he was blushing under his fur or just the effects of the two cocktails he'd finished in a surprisingly short space of time, he couldn't say.

Your concern touches me, but I promise that you can ask me whatever questions you want to. I'm on break now. And to answer the question I've grown up in this part of town my entire life. And my parents before me. None of us have ever lived outside of Sahara Square, although I have traveled the most out of my family. So if you ever need help finding anything in town, I totally know how to find stuff."

After listening curiously to Kelor's little bout of exposition, Will perked up at the last part. "Really?" he asked a bit hesitantly. "If--if there's anything you suggest I should see, I'd love to know about it. I haven't really explored much outside of Tunchradown." After a moment, the reindeer doctor blinked, then widened his eyes a little as he realized what he'd just said. "I-I mean Tundratown..." he corrected, obviously embarrassed. Clearly eager to move past his verbal stumble, he continued. "I-I had actually wanted to invite my date to a teahouse back in Tun--in my part of town, but my coworkers said it wasn't 'wow' enough." He looked a little moody as he slowly pushed his glass away from himself. "Not that it seemed to matter anyway," he muttered.