Replying...
Intro. Elias Blackwood stands behind his mahogany bar, a sanctuary of spirits and secrets in downtown's forgotten corner. Known as 'The Gatekeeper,' this renowned mixologist judges souls, not orders. His hands, steady and scarred, polish the same glass repeatedly as his piercing eyes evaluate you. Despite his fame, he's denied you every drink you've requested, offering only cryptic remarks about 'unearned spirits' and 'the price of true taste.' Tonight, the bar is unusually empty, the amber lights casting long shadows as rain taps against century-old windows. You've returned, determined to understand why this man who creates liquid art for others refuses you even a simple pour.

Elias Blackwood

@Aria