And the Body Count Rises... (Gale)

[Ray]

62nd of Summer, 512 AV Rayes was smirking. Well, he was always smirking, but now he was smirking so smugly that anyone passing him wondered just what nefarious prank he was planning in his startlingly pale head. At least, they would have if there happened to be anyone out at this hour. The sun had been down for roughly half an hour, allowing everyone to settle wherever they usually settled. Families were tucked snugly in their beds, students were finishing up their studies and sailors were entrenching themselves in whatever liquor they enjoyed the most. In truth, Rayes was not grinning like a pleased cat for any particularly complicated reason. He was grinning in anticipation; as a less-than-honest individual, he had grown up dodging and sweet-talking his way through Syliras, one of the most uptight cities he knew of. It had been oppressive, almost claustrophobic, and Zeltiva was a sudden breath of fresh air. There weren’t guards at every street corner and what guards existed were easier to slip past or trick. The port city was filled with possibilities in a vast world-is-my-oyster kind of way. For the first time he could remember, there seemed to be space for Rayes to stretch his wings. The recent days had been spent exploring, and he could now say that he had a basic understanding of the city’s layout. He knew where World’s End Grotto was and what was nearby and knew where the major shops sat and where the marketplace was. But every man had his urges, and the itch for a fight had grown too large to ignore any farther. So here he was, back in front of the Kelp Bar, looking for a brawl. Oh, probably not immediately, but before the night was done. Toning down his grin to his usual smirk, Rayes shouldered his way inside.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Sitting in the same seat he had been sitting when he had a conversation with a hypnotist named Hadrian, his wooden crutches leaning against the counter at his side, Gale silently pondered his day’s events. Let’s see here. He did his usual routine, although difficult with the crutches, it had being a relatively quiet day. The walk was rather nice despite the awkwardness of the injured ankle; the ocean was extraordinary as always. The weather wasn’t too bad, which was a good thing. He had a nice time looking at some of his wife's old drawings and some of his own, bringing back wonderful memories. Sitting at his special tree and resting was always a treat and just being with himself and his thoughts was rather nice. He did get some weird looks from the blood stain from the side of his shirt. It sucked only having one shirt. He needed to buy some more clothes once he got the money. Anyway, back to the days events. Everything was difficult now with his stupid sprain. But he had to be thankful that he actually got some crutches from the infirmy so he didn't have to go through the day in pain. Well. More pain. It still hurt but that's just what injuries do but it did help a lot. He had meant to go to a healer earlier but never got around to it, having stopped her and not finding the excuse to leave.

After talking to the professor, Gale had a better day but the following days were horrible. He felt alone, trapped, and lost. He didn't know what else to do then to get rid of all of it in one swift motion out the window. But thank the Gods that they were generous. Now feeling like someone would actually care if he moved on, Gale had the feeling of importance for once in a long long time. Gale knew that he could "cut the strings connecting to his limbs" and be free from the "master" who controlled him. He just needed to figure out how. That was his journey that he was put on and he was going to see it through to the end. But for now, he needed to rest.

Gale leaned against the hard counter looking at the people at the Kelp Bar today. Last time there was someone willing to listen or do something out of the ordinary. What adventures at the Kelp Bar awaited today? He had been here for almost half the day. He didn't think it was a good spot to rest since who knows what type of trouble he could get into, but it was a long walk home and he wanted to postpone it as long as possible. It was surprising actually. Few people actually conversed with him today, which was proving that it might not have been a bad decision after all to stay here. He could get a drink, have small chats, watch people be complete idiots, and all not having to move all that much. Only if the Kelp Bar sold food, then it would be perfect. But, the food would probably taste just as bad as the alcohol they served.

He looked over at a group huddled around a table, talking louder then they probably should. One told a joke that made no sense at all. Rolling his eyes Gale let out a soft chuckle. Drunk people always managed to make themselves and everyone around them look and sound utterly ridiculous. And seeing people looks stupid was, well…Funny. Even for a sad and depressed man such as Gale, not laughing at a person who was being a complete moron was a challenge.

Speaking of looking odd, let's look at what Gale looked like. He had basic pants and shoes. A white shirt with a large slice and blood blotch on his side and under that a large scab from a dagger slice. He had a flaky scab on his chin as well, and a set of crutches next to him. He looked the exact opposite of peaceful self. He looked like some punk who just got in a large fight. Damn his job. He needed to buy a new shirt.

The old bartender asked if he wanted another round of Kelp Beer. Gale had been taking it easy and not just chugging down mugs so he could actually stay somewhat sober and keep his wits about him. The thought of being sober in a place such as a bar, however, was floating in his mind tempting him to get some more. Gale thought for a moment, having just finished a mug a few moments ago, he shrugged and handed her a gold rimmed miza. She in return handed him a drink and five silver rimmed mizas, which he took with a simple thank you. He wasn't going to drink it all now. Over a period of time however. He just didn't want the older women coming over to him again since there were plenty of others here who needed her attention more then he.

Taking a drink from his mug, he half expected Hadrian to be there when he pulled his mug back down. With a single chuckle at himself for the thought, Gale looked back around at the people entering and leaving the bar.

[Ray]

Bars were usually crowded, but there were always little nuances between people that would identify they way they interacted with each other. There were people that came regularly to get drunk, there were people that came occasionally to get drunk, then there were people that just came regularly. It was the eyes of the last group that Rayes felt drawn to him just as they had the first time he had visited the Kelp Bar, sizing him up and judging how much coin he was worth. This time, however, some of the gazes were more cautiously curious than openly judging, aware of the fact that he had stepped outside with an angry man and that the angry man had not yet shown his face in the establishment. Looking around, Rayes noted with a bit of relief that there didn’t seem to be anyone present that had been involved in the encounter, and so his step was confident as he sauntered casually over to the bar and claimed a stool. The bartender approached and asked for his order just as she had the first time. “That poison you call beer,” he said, slapping down five silver. She nodded to the insult as easily as she would a compliment and swiped the money skillfully off the counter before hustling off to bring him what he had asked for. It was in front of him almost immediately, and he smiled wider and tipped his head in thanks as he took a long pull. “Gods, this stuff is disgusting,” he said to the manGale. next to him before taking another swallow. “What the petch is it made of?”

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Gale turned to the man who appeared to be speaking to him. Shooting him a sort of smirk, Gale replied,"No idea. I don't think anyone knows." Gale looked at his green drink. He wasn't as used to it as some men here was but it wasn't a foreign taste to him. "Who knows, it could be made of rotting fish corpses." Gale swirled it in his mug.

Gale took a moment to look at the man he seemed to have started a conversation with. Have slicked back blonde hair, dark clothes light eyes. If he didn't oil his hair back, had a less defined cheeks, he could pass as his brother, even though Gale never had the luxury of a sibling. He didn't think much on anything else, not being a very invasive person. If he was drawing him however, that would be a completely different story, since Gale stares for a while before drawing even his first line but that wasn't the case at all. Just chatting and relaxing with a stranger. Odd. When you worded it that way it might not seem so relaxing but Gale was a little on the carefree side at the moment.

Setting his mug on the counter, Gale let his elbows be placed behind him against the old counter space, giving the room a quick glance before looking back at the blonde.

[Ray]

Rayes snorted. “The way it smells, I wouldn’t be surprised.” He took another swig before turning to look at the man he’d seated himself next to. He looked to be younger than Rayes though their hieghts were very similar, possessing a delicate face that seemed a bit gaunt, as if he’d recently been very hungry and was on his way to returning to regular form. Though his mouth held a peaceful aura his brow was creased deeply, too deeply than could be normal, and his eyes were those accustomed to sadness. They were again offset by his expression; the man was not here to forget something in his beer. “Why do you drink it?” Rayes asked. “You don’t seem the type that would look at a tankard like an old friend. You native?”

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Gale gave a nodded in agreement. The smell of the beer was horrid but somehow bearable. Thinking about the odd tasting drink, Gale took his mug again and decided to take another swallow of the putrid drink.

Lowering the mug to the man again, Gale listened to his questions. He took a moment to think of why he was here again so he answered, reversing the questions.

"Yeah. As native as you can be. Never left actually. I suppose I came to get out of daily habits." Gale summarized with a shrug. "I don't reckon that you are native though." Gale said, not exactly asking where he was from but implying it.

Gale waited for an answer spinning his green drink in small circles, his elbows returning to their previous position.

[Ray]

Rayes chuckled. “Nah, I’m from Syliras. The city of peace, order, puppies and knights with sticks so far up their asses that you can see ‘em in their throats. Just got into Zeltiva a few days ago, and the welcome party gave me a nice enough handshake.” Rayes gestured to his upper cheek where a bruise had turned yellow and was in the process of fading. He paused, then took another gulp of beer, grimacing as it slid down his throat. “Gotta say, I’ve been in this town less’n a week and I already love it. Tough here. Tough men, tough women, tough food and tough fights. Wasn’t like that back where I’m from. Everything’s soft, ‘cept for the Knights, but gods were they a pain. They ruled everything like they wanted, and if you didn’t like it you couldn’t say nothing. Everyone had their own special place just for them, and if you tried to step out they’d punch you and shove you back in. Prison for a man like me. Getting outta there was the best decision I ever made.” He swirled the beer absently in the half empty tankard, watching the bubbles. He blinked in surprise when he realized that he could feet the familiar prickle in his skull. “Damn, how much alcohol’s in this stuff? I’m not supposed to be buzzing ‘til the second tankard at least.”

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Gale listened intently to his summarized back story. He might look a little similar to him but his interests were completely different then his own. Gale liked being alone, it being quiet. Mainly to concentrate on drawing or his thoughts. While he seemed to like to pick fights. Especially from his first statement about the guards. Gale would think twice before saying such a thing about someone. Unless he really hated them. Which was rather difficult since Gale had a very small amount of anger in him. His days were all taken place in his depression, and sometimes it would be a happier day, such as today, but a day where he was angry or upset was a very rare sight.

When Rayes stated another question about the alcohol content, Gale started to feel a little uncomfortable. A guy who seemed to liked to pick fights and a beer wasn't a good mix for a man who hasn't been in a real fight in his life. Gale tried to tell himself that it was fine. He seemed to be starting out on the man's good side so it wasn't that big of a deal. At last he hoped. Gale shrugged once again.

"Not sure. Must be a lot if your statement is true." Gale said, setting his mug down again.

[Ray]

The man listened silently, but remained attentive to Rayes’ story in a way that surprised him. Listening, really listening without an intention to reply was a skill not easily found, and Rayes found himself a bit grateful. Nevertheless, he broke into a grin at the man’s reply. “Must be. Shyke, if I ever get used to this stuff there won’t be any other drink in the world that’ll be able to topple me. ‘Course it might just poison me to an early grave instead if something else doesn’t kill me first.” He took another swallow. “So,” he continued, “you go to that University this city’s so proud of?”

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Gale couldn't help a soft chuckle about his 'early death' comment. For any sailor that didn't die from the sea, Kelp Bar Beer was probably the second main reason they died. Of course, in a joke way. He didn't know of any casualties actually caused from the alcohol. Except maybe a drunkard falling into the ocean and drowning. But that's stupidity from the beer. Not the beer itself. But yet again he wasn't an expert in it or anything. Like anyone would want to be.

Gale shook his head in response,"Not anymore. Used to though." Gale told him. He didn't find much interest in the classes anymore since the thing he loved to do didn't require much knowledge and he could easily teach himself.