Ashar 24th of Summer, 514AV The Kulkukan Tavern As far as days have gone, today wasn't exceptional by any means. It was so average, in fact, that it was borderline boring. Not only had Ashar gotten to carry out his entire routine (eat, train, eat, patrol, train, and now eat, but it had happened so uneventfully that Ashar was beginning to wonder whether it would have been more interesting to let Jek take over today - and that was saying something. What didn't help was the patrol partners Ashar had happened to luck out with during his afternoon duties. While an average patrol would have been uneventful, at least the banter among friends would have been enough to entertain Ashar for the duration. However, he had managed to somehow get into the same patrol as one of the worst Kavran in the entire cavalry branch, perhaps the entirety of the Kuvay'Nas. Not only was he weak (by Akalak standards), but he was whiny, a braggart, arrogant, puerile, and completely devoid of any sort of discipline whatsoever. All bark and no bite, even though he tried to. Now now, Ashar, Jek said, doing his best to calm his light brother. Truth be told, he had even less patience with the Kavran in question than Ashar, but he was better at containing his disgust. It did not concern Jek, who was mostly a spectator, what this idiot who called himself a warrior did to himself. He isn't worth getting worked up over. You'll feel better after a meal, trust me. You're probably right, Jek, Ashar sighed in reply. Sorry, I didn't mean to barrage you with thoughts of that pathetic excuse for a warrior. He just grates on me, and it's hard to let go. Such sincere apology to his dark brother would have been surprising at any other time. Not now, though, as he walked along the third tier of the city in search of food. Jek responded in kind. It's quite alright, brother, he replied in a genuine manner. You know I have plenty of distaste for him myself, and if our roles were switched I'd be hard-pressed to get over it as well. But let us just enjoy a calm dinner and get him out of our minds. I'd rather not have that moronic blathering bully spoil our food. I agree, said Ashar, as he scanned the nearby establishments. The twin souls, like any Akalak pairing, were naturally inclined to confront each other. It was the character of every shared-body relationship here in Riverfall. Yet even then, there were some elements that drove the twins together rather than apart, and this unsavory Akalak in question was one such element. Does here look like a good place for dinner tonight? Ashar asked, stopping in front of the Kulkukan Tavern and looking inside. While the popular waterside inn was busy most nights, tonight seemed to be especially hectic in the comforting ruby lights. That did little to deter Ashar, though, who generally cared little for silence and much preferred over-activity to none. The Kulk's fine with me, so long as you're the one wading into that ocean of people. Just be careful not to scare away all the humans, okay? replied Jek. He hummed thoughtfully. Wonder how Nystir and Chell are doing. Business this late at night must be booming in this wretched heat. Nodding, Ashar walked up to the tavern and opened the door, instantly met with a wall of loud noise and uncomfortable heat. Indeed, the summer weather was driving everyone off the streets during the day, which meant that the busiest times were happening just after the sun went down. For example, right now. Especially down at the docks where there was always a rowdy bunch, it wasn't surprising to either Ashar or Jek that the Kulk was particularly rowdy tonight. Drunken laughs and manifold clinks could be heard throughout the seaside den, and just getting to the counter was a struggle. Chell was serving drinks up as fast as she could when Ashar stumbled up to the counter, almost tripping over the smaller humans. His banging arms on the counter drew Chell's attention, and she smiled. "Oh hello, Ashar!" she exclaimed brightly. "How're you doing this evening?" "Just grand, thank you," Ashar replied with a toothy awkward smile as he tried to shove off one drunk who was leaning back on him, bellowing in stupid laughter. "Wysar, how do you keep up with all these oafs stumbling around your tavern?" "Oh, they're not so bad once you get to know them!" Chell yelled over the din of the tavern, beaming at the Akalak's awkward position. "I'm a bit busy, but there should be one table left over in the corner if you want to sit down. I'll send someone over your way as soon as I can!" "Thanks, I'll do my best not to trample anyone!" Ashar yelled back. Chell laughed and returned to her patrons while the Akalak did his best to weave, wade, and otherwise force his way through the unruly crowd to the one open table over the corner that Chell had directed him to. It was a big enough to seat four, and was clean enough to surprise Ashar and Jek as they sat at one of the corners. Gods am I glad you're in control today, Jek remarked. If he were able to, he would wince as one particularly rowdy man banged on the table as he roared with laughter at a not-really-funny joke one of his compatriots had made. I would never be able to survive an ordeal such as this. Just stay tucked away in there for now, I'll get us some food and we'll leave this noisy den, Ashar said in response, keeping his eyes open for the waiter that Chell said she would send over. Though he towered over the humans of the tavern, he looked more awkward than anyone else there. It was a comical sight, truly. |