[The Pig's Foot] Two cheers for black eyes! (Aliara)

[Xavier Belt]

Timestamp 32nd of Winter, 514 AV The Pig’s foot, the premiere tavern establishment located right in the center of town. It was the perfect place for a night of relaxing with some decent food and, Xavier hoped even better entertainment in the form of drunken brawls that commonly sprouted from squashed toes and spilled beers. Despite its reputation the tavern had a fairly seedy looking entrance, although it could be argued that everything in Sunberth looked seedy in some way or another. This tavern in particular though had a stellar reputation for reasonable safety, the only kind assured in a city with no rules. A wall of warm air filled with the mixed sent of alcohol and wood smoke hit Xavier like a physical barrier upon entering. A soft glow permeated the room from the central hearth shielding the building from the cold that seeped through the cracks. As was expected the room was predominately male save for the few serving maids who made their rounds through the crowd dispersing new drinks and scooping money up greedily. One of the servers took notice of him gesturing angrily to him to shut the door and to find his own seat. Xavier shut the door firmly behind him and made his way to a table just barely within range of the hearth, enough to keep off the chill at least. Motioning to the server to bring him two mugs of ale he took his seat. An old bar trick, eventually someone would come asking who the second drink was for. Nothing was worse than being alone at the tavern, and Xavier was willing to spend a couple mizas for some company on the night.

[Aliara Cantrell]

It was time for a change of pace. Aliara had rarely stood a toe into the pig's foot before and decided maybe tonight was the night. She also wasn't in the mood to deal with the drunken sailors. Pulling on her wintry clothes Aliara began to journey to the tavern, the population of Sunberth was still struggling with the loss of families, the Blizzard had hit hard frozen bodies left in the streets stuck in the moment of need. It had been horrifying Aliara hadn't left her house in the sunset quarter until they had been removed, they had been people she had know, even talked to.

Hugging her chest Aliara turned the corner, she wasn't that far away from the Pig's Foot Tavern but still far away enough to get freaked out when there was a lump in the snow. Telling her mind it was probably nothing Aliara jogged the rest of the there, pulling the door open with gloved hand Aliara was blasted with the warmth from the hearth. She hadn't even know how cold she was, stepping inside Aliara looked around the room and took note of where everyone was out of habit.

Standing just inside the door for a few moments was a silent agony, the feeling of the heat of her nose, fingers and toes was incredible, it made them go all tingly and sting slightly. Shrugging of her coat Aliara tried her best to shake out all the melted snow from her hair, unsuccessful she decided to order herself dinner. The sun was beginning to set and that meant Aliara could drink, looking around once again she noticed a man alone, with two mugs, perfect. Telling the keep where she would be Aliara brushed her hair and made her way towards the man.

“Free Drink,”

Grabbing the drink from the table in front of him Aliara sat at a different table just to annoy him, sipping from the drink she smiled politely and lifted the mug to him.

“Cheers.”

[Xavier Belt]

Xavier’s eyes flickered around the room constantly, flashing from the dark corner with two heavily robed figures talking in low tones to the loud and fairly annoying group occupying the bar. What others may have considered jumpy, suspicious and seemingly paranoid was completely normal for him. Xavier sat there, soaking up the experience while sipping on his mug. The ale was low quality. The froth to thick and the taste fairly bland, yet like all drinks it contained the magic ingredient and he slowly started to relax, tension slowly releasing from his shoulders. The door opened again and out of habit Xavier’s eyes flashed to the doorway. A small bundle of clothes made its way through the door. It was not until the girl removed the huge outer coat and gloves that Xavier truly noticed her. Long blonde hair and blue eyes, she seemed young although her casualness in stepping straight to the bar made it obvious she felt at least reasonably comfortable in taverns. Xavier spared another look around the tavern, although not really seeing anything of importance. This winter had been harsh already; just today he amputated two fingers from a child who spent too long in the cold. Missing two fingers would make life difficult, but life itself was a blessing. Had the fingers not been cut away the Rot would have taken hold. Xavier came to, snapping out of his quick dream state just in time to see his extra mug scooped away by the young lady who had walked through the door not two chimes earlier. Flashing him the cheeky smile as she took her seat and started drinking. Xavier raised his mug “Cheers” He practically whispered, more of a mouthing with no actual sound. This was a game, he recognized it immediately from his time at the university, he was up to date on tavern code. Xavier grabbed the nearest server, “Il take a pitcher of something better than….this” holding up his almost empty mug and pouring the contents on the floor. “Oh, and two mugs please.” Slipping a copper Miza into the server’s hand. The maid hurried off while Xavier kicked up his feet. Once the pitcher arrived Xavier poured himself a mug and brought it up to his nose, breathing in the aroma of the much stronger, and better tasting brew. Making eye contact with the new comer he slid the mug to the other side of the table.

[Aliara Cantrell]

A brave one but Aliara wasn't any less sure that he had underestimated her. Brushing back her mane of curls Aliara downed the rest of her drink feeling the familiar burn down her throat. He didn't look like much Aliara had to admit he looked frail, she could easily squash him like a bug. Calling down the waitress with her food she watched as he asked for something better. Scoffing under her breath she held back a remark.

Nothing ‘better’ tasting would get you as drunk as the sea swash that came from the Drunken fish, sailors where people who could hold their ale that was for sure. Breaking her bread in half Aliara at casually as if the man before her did not exist. It worked for a while, at least until the man pushed a drink to the edge of the table for her to drink.

Rocking on her chair she scooped it up and took long sip, tasted oddly of fruit and smelt nice, it was nothing that Aliara was used to nor felt that she liked . Drowning the rest of it quickly she laughed softly, this man didn't know what he was into. Going back to eating the sweet bread and small pile of toffee apples Aliara watched the man with her eyebrows raised.

“Not from here i take it?”

It was a small remark but it also meant something enough that some of the men in the tables around chuckled slightly, Aliara brushed the hair away from the food and chuckled a bit herself, this man was funny however the ale might be helping the cause more than Aliara could admit.

[Xavier Belt]

A flicker of doubt started to worm its way into his head, that girl downed the second drink without batting an eye. Xavier started to rethink his tactics, obviously there was a completely different set of rules here than the upscale taverns he was used to spending time in while at the university in Zeltiva. Pouring himself the second mug he took a sip, enjoying the flavor while letting it go down slowly. A hint fruit aftertaste, this really was a quality brew, hopefully not too expensive. Xavier needed to switch tactics, and he had just the idea. Again grabbing the barmaid and whispering in her ear and again slipping coins into her palm, a hint of confusion that changed to a smile as she walked away. Xavier leaned back, relaxing before the show that was about to commence. Still through his air of bravado the doubts lingered, had he gotten in over his head? While the answer was probably a resounding yes, yet he was willing to risk it this time. The fair haired girl had peaked his interest. Suddenly the tentative peace that had been present throughout the room was broken as the large man with an obviously disfigured nose that had taken up a seat behind Xavier stood up with a loud roar. The brute looked to his neighbor, stomped up to him and delivered one solid punch to the face, the crunch was audible. Seconds later the brawl had erupted as the stricken man’s friends jumped into the fray, thankfully the brawl seemed to angle in the opposite direction of where Xavier was sitting. Xavier stood up, pushed in his chair, grabbing his mug and the remaining of his pitcher and switching tables and setting himself down, maybe a little too quickly down next to the girl. Smiling at her, “It seems like you have the best seat in the house for tonight’s entertainment, mind if I join you? I bring gifts.” He said holding up the remaining pitcher of ale.

[Aliara Cantrell]

The fight was not that much of a surprise, yes the Pig’s foot was the higher standard than lets say the Drunken Fish but it was still Sunberth. A large man had been the start of the fight and Aliara was sitting to the side for the first time, the man she had been making fun of stood up and looked at her. Rolling her eyes she accepted the drink and pushed the chair out with her foot.

“Go on, he would probably snap you if you got to close anyway.”

Watching closely as the two fought Aliara took the chance to study their movements, the bigger of the two drew his arm too far back to remotely do as much damage as he could do and the smaller didn't put enough weight into his punched, either way both men were severely lacking in enough skill to kill one another.

“Idiot isn't putting enough weight into his punches,”

Without taking her eyes of the fight she had directed the comment to the man at her table, testing to see what he knew she continued to make comments.

“And the bigger, his elbow is out to far.”

Taking a sip of her drink she studied the people who had moved in to separate the two, from what Aliara could see, two of them were just regular Sunberthians and the other two were Mercenaries. Nodding in acknowledgement when their eyes met. She had seen those two around before, may of even worked with one of them before but she didn't have any urge to get up and help so when they nodded back and continued working she smiled.

Rolling her head on her shoulders she looked at the man beside her and smiled as nicely as she could. Her hair covering her face and blue eyes sparkling Aliara managed to catch his eye.

“Whatchyou name?”

[Xavier Belt]

The brawl thankfully stayed contained to just the two men at the table. It was not uncommon to see a single punch ignite the entire tavern, in which case Xavier would make a quick bolt for the exit. Xavier looked over at the girl as he sat; her eyes were glued to the fight. If he was correct she seemed to be analyzing the fight. Looking back to the fight which was pretty much over at this point, the two men held apart by some rather grisly bar patrons. Xavier heard the girl commentating on the fight; did she know what was going on? That seemed fairly absurd, but then again here she was in a Sunberth bar confidently taking drinks from strangers. If Xavier had caught the nod given between her and the peacemakers he may have changed his mind. “Wait a second, are you commenting on the form of two tavern brawlers? What are you? 14?” Xavier said, in half sarcasm, half disbelief. Then he rushed on, trying to get more words in before she had a chance to slap him and leave. “The name is Xavier” thrusting out his hand, maybe a little too quickly. He could hear his heartbeat inside his ears, he felt more uncomfortable now than when stitching up a life-threatening wound, and it probably showed. Yet he had no other options so he forged on. “I don’t know much about fighting, I’m new to Sunberth, came in from Zeltiva just about a month back. You seem quite at home here though, how long have you been here?” Just as he finished she turned towards him flashing a smile. Behind the hair that covered her face Xavier caught a glimpse of ocean blue eyes, they reminded him of the docks where he had spent time running around as a kid. “You typically make people provide you with three drinks before you grace them with words?” He said back, attempting, and probably failing to give a smile as well.

[Aliara Cantrell]

Aliara looked at the Xaviers hand and burst out laughing, how long had she been here? Aliara had always screamed local and for once she could say Aliara had not openly said it this time. Slipping the kuri out of her boot Aliara grabbed the Xaviers hand in an iron grip and used the tip of the kuri to trace the marks in his hand. her sea blue eyes focusing on the blade, without looking up she began to answer his questions.

“Do i look like i have the body of a fourteen year old!?”

Dropping his wrist Aliar dug the Kuri into the table and took another sip of her drink, the more she drank the more Aliara found herself liking the taste of the weird fruity mix. Finally giving up Aliara tied her hair back with a simple string. Without the blonde curls in her face Aliara felt more open towards the world. It was true she was pretty and unexpected as a mercenary but having her hair like this always made it worst, her clients never believed until she proved otherwise.

“No usually about six, Drinks that is,”

It was the sad truth, still to this day Aliara rarely opened up about her dreams or hopes or even about herself now that she had began to think on it. Rolling her eyes Aliara looked back to the two men being dragged out of the tavern, it was a shame, most times she was the same as they were, being pulled out blacked and bloodied. Taking the finale sip of her drink Aliara put the mug down and picked up her kuri again.

“Hey, Maybe ill find you in a ditch, that would be fun.”

Turning her chair around with a loud scratch Aliara focused solely on Xavier, as much as what she said was true. Aliara knew that she would be heartbroken by the experience, just seeing the frozen people had made her stay in her home. Seeing Xavier would make her doubt the town she had lived in all her life.

“Born and raised sweetcheeks, You either fight or hide, id pick quickly.”

Scooting her chair even closer Aliara’s and Xaviers knees began to touch and she whispered.

“Aliara Cantrell, sword for hire, great with a cutlass and could kill you in five different ways with a chair, Nice to meet you.”

[Xavier Belt]

Xavier cringed as the kuri dug into the palm of his hand, the small nicks started to well up with bright red blood, pooling together and running off the side. Thankfully she had chosen the palm and not the back of his hand, where a significant number of important tendons ran. It would be a shame to lose the use of a finger due to some girls propensity to make a point, with the point of her knife. Now that he thought about it 14 may have been a little on the young side, but without doubt she was younger than him, Xavier would guess twenty. Once she finally released his hand he grabbed held his hand up, examining the small marks that covered his palm, thankfully she had a sure enough hand that nothing was deep; they probably wouldn’t even leave scars. Sunberth was turning out to be much more cutthroat than he had anticipated. He guessed that if she hadn’t killed him by now than he was probably safe for the time being, barring he say anything incredibly stupid. He frowned at her quip, being found in a ditch did not seem an appealing proposition. Despite her obvious front of bravery which in truth scared Xavier, he decided to push on with the sarcastic tone, he had her name already maybe it would lead to more information. “Thank you… Aliara Cantrell”, Xavier put a slow emphasis on her name and letting it role off his tongue, saying to both to her and to himself before launching into his retort. “Obviously I have mistaken you, you clearly do not have the body of a 14 year old. However, your temperament is the clear equivalent of the spoiled 12 year old; in the end you see it balances out. “ Xavier sincerely hoped that she could take a little teasing, otherwise he was in trouble. He did not like the fact that her chair had been scooted closer and closer, it was so close that he was starting to feel a little uncomfortable and it showed. “As for your profession, I call you job security. It’s your…types… that come crawling to me to put them back together once they take on something a little too large for them to handle. Even better yet they are willing to pay through the roof for it because in your line of work, lose a hand? Lose your life.” Xavier may not be someone’s physical match, but sooner or later people would come to him for help, and when they did they were totally at his mercy. Xavier felt satisfied with his words, if this girl had any want at all to be a little nicer than it would come out soon, at least he hoped. He leaned back in his chair, taking a sip of from his mug before looking back to Aliara expectantly.

[Aliara Cantrell]

Aliara raised her eyebrows and blew a raspberry at Xavier, she could tell that he was trying to act all strong and smart to make himself look better but that wouldn't matter Aliara liked him, he was fun to sit with and make fun off however his latest comment was enough to make her push his chair slightly. She caught it again before it would topple over, to be nice, pulling it back down so all four legs stood firmly on the ground.

“Wanna know a secret? Never been to a doctor in my life,Doctor Petricious is enough to scare any local away from men with power complexes!”

Aliara scooted her chair back and burst out laughing, leaning on her own chair she picked up her scarf and began to run her fingers over its wollen texture, she had been so glad to buy it, it made the winter so much easier to live with. Looking back to Xavier she smiled, the man before her was older than her but he was acting the same as she was, like a bratty seventeen year old who had been raised the best a group of male sailors could do.

“Anywho, I never wanted to be sword for hire, i mean look at me no one takes me seriously!”

Sighing softly Aliara picked up the last bit of bread on her plate and popped in her mouth, looking back at Xavier she made her bun a little neater and waited him to burst out laughing or something. Maybe even make fun of they way she looks, every time she went to a job her client would doubt her, saying she was ‘Too pretty’.
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