[Kelp Bar] A Certain Kind of Sadness

[Hadrian]

51st Summer, 512 A.V. The Kelp Bar was busy as usual, sailors passing through, men and women mostly from the lower walks of life, but the occasional more prosperous merchant, more adventurous student, and for the moment, at least, a professor. But Hadrian had been coming to the place since his student days, intent on "going native" as part of his anthropological studies, and he had certainly developed a taste for the pungent brew they vended there. But even he preferred it as cold as possible, and thankfully they kept some barrels submerged beneath ground where the chill could be maintained, else even he would have gagged over it. That gradual degradation of taste encouraged one to drink quickly, and Hadrian's mug was nearly empty, nearly tepid. Hadrian was intent, however, upon the rings of condensation upon the bar, linking them and drawing them out into glyphs that only really stayed in his mind's eye. He had little attention to spare even for those beside him and around him; his single-pointed focus could be truly daunting at times.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

On his way back to his street of the city, it was one of those days for Gale. He hardly got any rest last night. It was a long day of drawing, trying to earn a few coins for fee of his room at home and food but he didn’t have any decent sales. Meaning, he didn’t sell any of them.
When Gale went home to get some rest, which turned to be difficult since he had a dream about her again, this frequently keeps him awake. He has had these dreams more often than before, for reasons he can’t quite recognize.
This morning just seemed to bring additional stress. Not anything like yesterday but his feelings seemed to be exaggerated today. He almost didn’t get up from their tree to continue the day, he almost didn’t visit her because of feeling like he was going to break down, and he can barely even think about drawing or painting. This was all very unusual for Gale since doing these activities helped him in several ways.
But nowadays, it seemed to make it worse. Today’s daily trip was rather short compared to previous ones but he just needed to relax. He needed to get away from work, and have a day off to himself. Maybe that’s what he needed. A free day. A day where he could forget everything. What better place to do that then the Kelp right?
He wasn’t one to go here very often but it seemed like a reasonable choice considering his situation and solution. Taking a different turn to head to the Kelp instead of his home, Gale started to look around. Since he didn’t really go there very regularly, he often forgot the way to the Kelp. But with a little wondering, he “found Waldo” and headed inside.
He glanced around at the men and women there but didn’t really pay too much attention to them. More of being cautious since, probably a majority of the people here was already drunk. He took an empty seat a little ways from the others and waited for the tender to come by.
Looking around again when he sat down, his attention turned to a laughing bunch but soon rolled his eyes and faced the counter. Placing his elbow on the table, and his cheek in that hand, he watched his hand pick at the wood.

[Hadrian]

Hadrian looked up from his watery drawing to observe the newcomer, a young man about of an age with him, though seemingly less worldly, perhaps. Still, he was clearly upset about something, and his aura pulsed with it. Hadrian could have tuned it out, of course. The sense was like a muscle, and he could relax it at will, allow his other senses to pick up the slack as they were wont to do before he ever delved into the mysteries of magic. But for whatever reason, he told himself he had the power for a reason, and perhaps it were best to use it for good. Was he not settling in Zeltiva, making it better by teaching students, rebuilding the orphanage, patronizing lost ghosts...? This man might be a ghost before long if something didn't go right for him. Hadrian let his aura expand, juxtaposed with the blond man's own, and then he sent a thread of hypnotic suggestion through it. He wasn't practicing any sort of mind control, but he let his words resonate with a sense of ease. The man wouldn't be forced to do or say anything, but Hadrian's voice would sooth him on some level. "Nilo for your thoughts?" Hadrian offered. His drink had not inebriated him, but it relaxed him enough that being friendly didn't feel so uncomfortable.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Sitting there, letting his mind wonder, Gale stared at the counter. Even though he wasn’t exactly paying attention to his mindless wondering in his head, several thoughts seemed to interrupt to cycle. Misplaced somehow. It didn’t seem like they were his own but he didn’t think anything of it.

These extra thoughts or suggestion as it appeared seemed to have broken his concentration on the counter. Gale switched from picking to taping his finger lightly and looking up ahead of him at the wall.
His heart skipped a beat when a male voice had asked him a question. Gale turned to look at the young man who had asked him the question. He was much taller than him, but didn’t look like he wanted any trouble. But that’s from the outside. Everyone’s different on the inside.

“I’m sorry?” Gale questioned. Then it clicked in his head that he sounded the same as the suggestions as it was. But he chose to not correct himself at this point, not knowing what this man’s goals were and how he was a part of it. He was being more cautious here then he normally would have but, what do you expect? It would be a foolish thing to trust any ol’ person at a bar.

[Hadrian]

He continued to exude a sort of calm. It was a feeling rather than any sort of thought, the simplest sort of hypnotism, hardly intrusive at all. But he smiled awkwardly; he wasn't so great with feelings, but that didn't mean he was devoid of compassion. "Sorry. You just look like you could use a drink, and perhaps a willing ear." He didn't say shoulder to cry on, though that seemed necessary too. He shrugged. "Or I'll leave you alone, but I figure if you wanted to be alone, you could buy a barrel of beer and take it home with you. So I offered a nilo for your thoughts."

OOCYou might want to check out the wiki on hypnotism. Unless Hadrian does some crazy thought projection, Gale likely won't even notice. He should just feel a little bit calmer for focusing on Hadrian. I promise I won't powergame you!

[Gale Austin McCenry]

OOCOh, my bad. I guess I'm just not used to working with hypnotism yet since this is first for me. Sorry about that.

Hearing the mans intentions, Gale relaxed quite a bit. That was hopefully one less thing to worry about here. It was still rather odd to him that someone, a stranger of all people, would want to hear what he had to say at this time. His previous friends have grown distant to him because of the little interaction he has with them. So why would this man bother?

Not being able to keep back a smirk, Gale asked,"Doesn't everyone here do? Why come to me over the others here as well or come to anyone at all? You're here for a reason too, no doubt." He leaned on his left arm, his right relaxed on his side. Gale's caution turned to curiosity the more he thought, and talk with this man.

[Hadrian]

"Oh, I spend far too much time at the University," he said dismissively, "so I like to take walks sometimes to help me think. The movement helps me get out of mental ruts sometimes. I don't know. I'm weird. And sometimes I stop down here for a drink or two. It's interesting to watch people. I'm not very good with people, but I still find them interesting. And when I've had enough, I walk back to the University and lock myself in with my thoughts. It's just a matter of balancing solitude and company for me... "I'm sorry if I was wrong to interrupt your thoughts. I'll leave you alone if you prefer." But his point remained: if a person wanted to be alone, why would they come to a crowded bar to do so?

[Gale Austin McCenry]

OOCI sent you a pm so I suggest that you read that before replying.

"Unless you have further intentions, then I suggest you do." Gale told Hadrian. He realized it did seem rather rude from his perspective. Maybe for once his emotional side was coming through or something of the likes.

Gale took a moment and remembered the suggestions that came last time that calmed him down to try and not be so...obnoxious if that's what he seemed like. He would think of himself obnoxious if he were in the young man's shoes. Yet again, he has recently been thinking everyone to be annoying and irritating.

[Hadrian]

As the hypnotic suggestion didn't seem to be calming the fellow down at all, Hadrian quietly let it fade. A faint smile said he understood, but all the same, he got the bartender's attention and ordered another two mugs, nodding that one should be set in front of the mourner. With his own in hand, he nodded with all due respect and looked away. There was only so much privacy one could expect in a crowded bar. He considered whether he should return to the University, but decided he would think it over again when his beer was gone. In the meantime, his thoughts wandered. As for his neighbor, he figured the beer might loosen his tongue a bit, or stoke his emotions until they threatened to boil over and he felt the need to talk. But he wasn't going to force the thing; he would just check in momentarily. The offer to listen had been made, and still stood.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Gale sat forward again, thinking he had gotten out of his “predicament” of sorts. It wasn’t really embarrassing or anything, he just didn’t like to think about it all that much. And talking requires a lot of thought on the subject.

He looked at the young man again when a mug was set in front of him; figuring/knowing it was him. Not wanting to refuse the mug he took it. He was going to get one himself anyway, but it was just awkward taking it from someone who wanted to stick their nose into someone else's business. Wait a minute- What? Why was he thinking like this? Ugh, he is so messed up right now. He doesn’t normally act like this or even think like this. Not even close. Well…Did he always act this was and he just now noticed or was he just being strange today? Great, now he can’t even remember how he acts normally. There’s something wrong with him. No doubt about it.

He was started to let his mind wonder again about the subject, glad he was no longer on the topic of Hana as he took sips of the drink. He glanced repeatedly at the man next to him thoughtfully. Maybe he should talk to him. The worst he could do was stop listening right? And that seemed unlikely at this point with his eagerness to try and be friendly. At least it would clear his mind up a bit if he talked, get his head straightened out a bit.