Keen Minds Alike

[Dhanviyr]

15th Day of the Red Watchstone | 512 AV

Dhanviyr stepped into the dim glow of the infamous tavern of Kalinor, the Hunters' Gather. Despite having been raised in the city since birth, he had never entered, his family's living being meager. He went to the bar and sat gingerly on a stool that appeared to have seen better days. Propping up a menu, he skirted over the options quickly before he ordered a glass of Schnappes.

Ever since he had moved out of his father's house, the minutes and hours and days seemed to trickle on an especially slow sand of time. He yearned to study archery and weaponsmithing, but the Symenestra naturally being such a creative people, it didn't seem to have high demand. The minutia were closing in and Dhanviyr was beginning to understand that this was, perhaps, what it felt like to be an adult. To feel so little control over your future when your time wasn't spent happily dreaming, the unsurety of it all. Moreover, he would soon need a paying job if he wanted to keep his basic lodging. The thought of going back to his father in failure was unthinkable.

Dhanviyr glanced up from his maudlin thought process to glance about the room. The air hung heavy, alcohols and hearty food (as hearty as Symenestra food could be), rowdy men and women down for a good drink. Dhanviyr had no particular purpose here, short of curiosity, but he wished he had brought a friend along. The atmosphere was quickly becoming claustrophobic.

[Davakiyr]

Davkiyr entered the Hunter's Gather. He had never been much of a drinker, even in his younger years when most kids experimented with it. However, he had decided that he was allowed to enjoy this part of adulthood now. After all, he had been living alone for some time now. He no idea what to do, where to sit, or even what to order. He glanced around the bar and decided to take a seat near the most sober looking. He ended up approaching another Symenestra who looked as out of place as he did.

From the sight of it, the Symenestra appeared to be slightly younger than Davakiyr but, there was really no way of proving this short of asking. Davakiyr semi-nervously grabbed at the stool next to the boy and asked him quietly and politely in Symenos, "Excuse me Krova. Is this seat taken?"

The room smelled of alcohol and various soups. Many of the smells Davakiyr was unfamiliar with and this only added to his confusion. He would hopefully partake in some of the new things he was smelling this day. He had no idea where he would begin. It didn't cross his mind before coming that he could become too intoxicated to climb home. But, now of course it would add to his awkwardness. He was having difficulty not standing out. Or at least that's how it felt to him.

Davakiyr stood awkwardly with the chair as he asked for the seat. He was looking downwards which gave an obvious tell of his nervousness. He was never really good at talking to new people, unless the conversation was about a shared experience.

[Dhanviyr]

Dhanviyr looked up from his drink when he heard a soft voice speak. He saw a fellow Symenestra - not that that spoke of much, as this place was crawling with them - clutching the chair beside him. "Have a seat, versda," he replied, unslouching himself and turning in his seat. At least now he would look less pathetic, sitting alone and out of his skin in the center of his own city. "Is this your first time as well? I ordered a Schnapps, but I profess to know little of alcohol...." He trailed off, feeling uncomfortable again. It was one thing to be a stranger sitting quietly, but another entirely to be completely virginal to alcohol and nursing a single drink at a bar stool. Well, there wasn't much for it. This man was a stranger, and whatever his rank, didn't appear a whole lot older than Dhanviyr himself.

[Davakiyr]

"Sounds like a safe bet. My name is Davakiyr by the way. And yes, this is my first time as well." Davakiyr felt ease as the words fell from his tongue. He was much more comfortable to be sharing the virginity of his experience with another. He proceeded to order his own Schnapps and curiously questioned his new bar mate "What brings you here today?"

Davakiyr brushed his hair to the side as it had fallen in front of his face. He was still making awkward eye contact with his newfound friend as not to be impolite. But, he had nothing to do with his hands except lean against the bar while seated in his stool. He wanted to better aquaint himself, however, he didn't want to seem overwhelming. Nothing puts someone off faster than an overzealous imbocile. He smiled internally and did not laugh at his thoughts instead, he presented a near straight face. The only thing that Davakiyr showed was a friendly, easy smile.

The smell of the foods excited Davakiyr and his experience promised to be a positive one.

[Dhanviyr]

"I've been wandering about, trying to find some decent occupation. You know how it is. You don't feed into the stereotypical mold and suddenly there are hardly any jobs for you in this place. I was born and bred in Kalinor, but I can find nothing of interest in my wanderings. I'm actually a bowman, you see, so some folk distrust me because I prefer to pierce with a bow than with my fangs." Perhaps Dhanviyr had revealed too much? He was not the most personable of sorts. He could see, in his mind's eyes, his older brother saying, The first conversation you had with him was about your eating preference? Maybe that was a part of why he was having trouble finding employment. He tried to think of the last time he had asked for work.

And what are your skills? the shopkeeper had asked. I have nary a skill save for lounging he'd replied, especially too sharply. He preferred to be judged by his work rather than by a specific skill-set. He truly believed an individual, given the opportunity for proper education, could excel in an environment they weren't previously exposed to given the proper level of interest.

He shook himself from his thoughts and smiled at Davakiyr. "I believe I forgot to properly introduce myself. I'm Dhanviyr. Our names are somewhat similar. I hope that to be a good omen. What brought you to this place?"

[Davakiyr]

"I was looking for some relaxation away from home. When you're moving home feels like work." Davakiyr knew nothing of bowmanship and could not pretend a true interest in it. His personal opinion of fighting was of much closer contact. He could see the use of a bowman if he were to start a hunting party. "What made you pursue such a profession?" The question was bold but, not intended to be rude.

Davakiyr would place his order for the schnapps whenever the waiter, or waitress, would return to serve Dhanviyr. He pulled the coin he would use to pay from his pocket. He played with the coin anxiously. He wondered what his thoughts would be like while he was drinking, he had also seen people lose coordination and wondered if that would happen to him.