[closed] Smokin & Drinkin

[futhark]

Who: Caster (Cú Chulainn) & Avenger (Edmont Dantes)
When: late Feoveuer
Where: Pub in an Entertainment District
What: of drinks and business
Warnings: alcohol and or spiked drinks, possible references to the Snatched event



[ It's been over a month and a half, so having at least a quick glance at the tattoo, and whether it needs a touch-up was to be expected. The process is easy, and Avenger is the last client of the day, so it allowed for more privacy given his circumstances.

There are scars to pride take of, scars to hide or forget about— funny, for the first time Cú gets to feel something similar to the latter. He's covered up entirely, unusually so. Bandages peek from under the collar, under the gloves, anywhere were his own tattoos has been. Treatments are almost done, so soon there won't be a need for them, but scarring, as always, might remain. But those are not thoughts he'd like to linger on, and as Faiolleach gets mentioned, and the special drinks, Caster drops the info

"I know where to get them"

These drinks might be more popular and readily available in big amounts during festivals, but it doesn't mean they are made only for those occasions. And if there is something that Cu got a lot of experience in Aefenglom, it's liquor and its locations. Part-timing as bartender and waiter have been his occupation before Inkchanted, and he liked to change places.

So they find themselves in one of the pubs in the Entertainment District. The menu has a big, bolded warning regarding the section of the drink they're interested in, and Cu leaves Avenger to investigate the content and possibilities as he chats with the bartender, an old acquaintance. ]

They say they're not officially licensed as sellers of the bottles, only as drinks. But— [ He lowers his voice ] —options could be provided. That's a talk for later though.

[ When guests either get so inebriated they won't care, or they will start leaving. Caster has no idea whether it means they'd be willing to sell bottles for a hefty price, or if would they direct Avenger to the actual seller. They're willing to be lenient on the regulations, and that's the start. ]

Got anything else that strikes your fancy?

Comments

[ressusciter]

[it's been a while, and with his use of the magic and lack of a Servant's healing, checking in felt only natural. thankfully, Caster didn't need much more than his word to request to be the last customer. the bandages don't escape his notice - but Cu had been civil enough to not say a word about Dantes's scars. the least he can do is return the favor, when he hides himself so thoroughly. long sleeves, buttoned up to the collar, gloves that shield his hands until only a suggestion of a wrist peeks through. nothing unnecessary revealed until he made a conscious choice. if anyone would understand scars that one meant to hide, Dantes would.

it's a good thing the tattoo healed well, after how much it had been useful taking down the Rathmores, and he makes conversation about things that are not the witches. the drinks, he intends to be a passing remark, but if Caster knew where to procure them...well, then call a touch of recklessness that he's interested. he'll be careless enough to make it seem like he's chasing the sensation - poison resistance left a lot to be desired from anything too weak - and cloak the idea of actually unwinding in the shadows.

when all's said and done, he's half draped over a chair studying the menu and considering the virtues and vices of simply getting drinks here versus trying to obtain a private supply. something to consider for the future, given that they're already there - a balancing of cost and ease.]

I can settle, for the moment. There's nothing else I'm in dire need of, aside from a drink to start with.

[futhark]

They have a wide variety to choose from. Though each bigger festival seems to also have a more seasonal variations. Less in effect, more in taste though. Looking forward to getting the Boaltinn one again.

[ Can't believe it will mark a whole year here. He shakes his head and picks out a pack of cigarettes. It's a smoking-allowed type of place, and it's his time to return the favor as he offers one to Avenger. Instead of lighter he just magicks a small fire on top of his thumb.

That's when the waiter arrives, bringing two glasses of the Faoilleach's spiked drinks. Less fancy in presentation and a bit different alcohol is used as a base, but the potion that gives its special effect is all the same. ]

Allowed myself to get us the first round already.

[ressusciter]

[he'll accept the cigarette gladly, lighting it over the flame - it's a gesture that doesn't go unnoticed. he nods his thanks to the waiter, and reaches for his glass.]

How kind of you.

[if Caster's up for it, he'll clink their glasses in an unspoken toast to absolutely nothing at all, but not taking a sip just yet. no need to rush.]

I didn't realize you'd been in the city that long. But that answers a question I've had on how long one should expect this to go on - until it's done, it seems.

[futhark]

[ The clink is done, he would not refuse that one. ]

It's my ten month here. But I had seen people return through the Mirrors. Sometimes the Mirrors even spat them right back again a few months later. [ In the end not that it concerns him much. For Servants, it must be just like being unsummoned. A brief existence and then it ends. ]

I'm still not entirely sure if we're here for a reason, or if it's just this place charm that drags us in, like moths to a flame. [ There are things that points both ways. ]

[ressusciter]

I'd like to think there's more of a reason than pure charm that would drag me from our mission.

[their shared one, since he doesn't need to be as discreet around another servant. still, unless the mirrors spit out their Master, he doesn't need to think too drastically about who would or would not come through.]

As it is...this is the fifth month I've been in this city, and it almost feels as if I'm no closer to understanding it than the day I arrived. Apart from certain things, it feels like one needs five years to truly begin.

[futhark]

Before we used to have these strange shared dreams almost every month. Things they showed often turned out to be true— you could see them as a direction, and that implies us being here for a reason. [ Though keyword is "before". ] These happened only twice after Dorchacht.

[ Was their reason to stop Drummond, or is their reason being now obscured? Not to mention usually within those dreams new Mirrorbounds were facilitated to arrive. Usually, not always though.

But the mission... wasn't their mission already completed? The great thread to the world over, humanity saved, Chaldea— well, on shaky ground within that new world and slowly preparing to close its door. ]

Say Avenger, what is the last thing you remember from our mission?

[ressusciter]

[it's a curious thing, these dreams - that they were less frequent spoke to something. some magic giving way, or something interfering? it's worth filing away in his head to put into his notes.

but as to the question, he pauses, sipping from his drink before he answers that.]

Shinjuku. A city dyed in endless sin, always on the verge of millennium's turning, and a plot to destroy the planet in a separate timeline. We undid it all, naturally, but there were three more eventualities to be prepared for in the aftermath - four Pillars escaped the destruction of Solomon's temple. That's as much as I recall.

[futhark]

[ So maybe he wasn't the one to accompany Ritsuka into these Singularities on permanent, mostly on the back-end work and the muscle (or rather fire) called upon when needed— but he always knew what's going on. And Shinjuku— Shinjuku isn't the direction of travel he remembers. ]

Four of them? So there's some cleaning to be done after all that mess is done... [ He taps the glass, wondering— had his contract truly been severed and that's where he ended afterward? Not to mention, Avenger showed up here later but he also stayed in Chaldea for longer that does pose some questions ] You know what's coming up— by the time of that Shinjuku ride... was I still around?

[ressusciter]

We all were.

[it may not be comforting news, but it is the truth - and it brings to mind that he has never asked his Bonded how much he remembers, where in time he is anchored.]

Chaldea was going to close, but we still needed time to wrap things up, and these other Singularities needed to be dealt with. Once they were all gone, there should have been enough time for us to all bid our goodbyes and depart when we wished. That is what I know.

[futhark]

[ Caster sips the drink as Avengers talks, enjoying the slow relaxation incoming. He didn't realize how high-strung he's been lately. ]

I admit I assumed they just kicked me out. [ That's followed by a chuckle, no meaningness or ill-will. While he would definitely prefer to say goodbyes, he could see an organization like this just making a sudden decision to sever the contracts— as they were saying they will do ] Knowing that there are a bit more of adventures with our Master isn't bad news though. I mean, it's going to work out.

[ That he says with utmost confidence. If the Incarnation of Humanity mess was stopped, what are four pillars aside for just a clean-up job?

At least that confirms his theory. Oh, he's heard similar accounts from people who were placed in different times, and all. Just being given a chance to confirm that in his own case— it all shows that their presence here ultimately doesn't matter for what's going back "home". A knowledge a lot of the new arrivals yearn to know. ]

It feels like something happening so long ago though. [ A beat ] Kind of feels weird, no? Being alive again.

[ressusciter]

Is it really being alive? That has certain connotations.

[alive meant choice, freedom, not being bound to their mission, not subject to fluctuations and potentially being removed from this place at any given time.]

Just because my heart beats doesn't mean much. This is just another vessel for me to spend time in - I'm as much a dead man as I always was.

[futhark]

Every Servant here will have a different view and different answer to what it means. I won't tell you how to treat time that has been given to you here.

[ He's no real druid, or no teacher, and the Master he promised to guide- is not here, for better or worse ]

That's your choice to make. Which is probably more than what those like us usually have.

[ "Freedom" is such a heavy word, but one Cú has to learn and familiarize himself with here. No kings, no masters, no orders. No purpose- that's a tricky one. At least no purpose until you found or make yourself one.

It's been a long road to find semblance of that here but now that he has it, he will cultivate it for as long as possible. ]

[ressusciter]

[would you believe me if I said the absence of the contract raised more questions than relief? the thought drifts through his head on a current, unable to fully settle. instead of voicing it, he takes another drink, and leans a little more back in his chair.]

And has it been treating you well thus far? All this newfound choice?

[futhark]

It's been pretty shitty at first. A rough ride. [ Caster admits with disarming honesty between one sip and another. Perhaps the drink made him even more chatty and more ready to admit that but— secrets were never his favourite thing ] Well, it still is— but I'd be a fool to not take advantage of that.

[ Maybe they need something stronger, who knows. ]

Not gonna say I'm taking root, but I adapted.