A wild night (Ardan)

[Brandon Blackwing]

x

As Ardan ordered two more drinks, more of the same it seemed, the bat mulled over the words the Kelvic had poured out of his throat before the second round had started. A different drink would certainly be welcomed by the thief, however not to waste money on a liquid nasty enough to make one puke on the spot. On the contrary, he felt a more sweet and tasty one would make this battle of stomach a lot more interesting. And they would be easier to consume as well, this bitter ale became harder and harder to swallow with each gulp, and the thought of having to drink it again made the bat kelvic shiver internally.

“Right,” Brandon said, mustering up his courage as his hand grabbed the mug the bartender had placed in front of him. A deep breath of air was sucked inside his lungs, and with a bit too wild raising of his arm, the mug went to his lips –a fair amount of the alcoholic drink spilling on the floor and his hand- and with gulps larger than last time he poured the ale down his throat. As much as he tried not to taste the beverage, upon contact with his tongue his efforts were rendered useless. The thief’s arm slammed the mug back on the counter as his eyes and mouth were the victim of a spasm, and though he had swallowed more with one gulp, the time it took to finish his drink was noticeably higher than before.

“I say we take it to the next level, we both passed round three, and now no more playing around, it’s time to get serious!” the bat declared with a bright smile and utmost confidence. “Bartender! Two shots of honeyed whiskey!”

The man behind the counter looked up from the glass he was cleaning and gave the one demanding an observant stare. The blush on the man’s cheeks told him the man was quite drunk already, the way he kept himself standing by clinging to the bar and now and then falling to a side at random aided in that deduction. His friend seemed to be in the same state, maybe a bit less affected, maybe a bit more. The poor lighting made it hard to tell. However, the barman did know that they would not last much longer if the duo kept drinking like they had for the past ten chimes. If they kept it up with the whiskey, they would not be able to stand soon, and if they were their actions would get really irrational and unpredictable. They would be …. Well, drunk.

Nonetheless, he gave in to the request, trouble was not what he wanted right now, and that was what he would be getting himself into if he refused them the drinks. If they did receive their drinks however, they would cause trouble to none but themselves, and they would become rowdy a bit later. Whatever, his shift was almost over –two more chimes until he was freed from this burden. The only problem he had with serving them was –in the knowledge they would pour it down their throats at once- that it was a waste of the liquor. Ah, well, it couldn’t be helped. “Coming right up!”

x

credit goes to Euthisa

[Ardan]

Ardan drank his honeyed whiskey, noting the rather large gap in potency between it and the previous swill. It was stronger by far, yet more pleasant going down. Not that it mattered to the panther; he was simply happy to be receiving free drinks. However, in order to further get his mind off of everything else, he decided to initiate a conversation.

"So, Brandon, what brings you out at this time? I understand that Lhavit is active regardless of the position of the sun and moon. However, by my experience, the common man prefers the sun on his back, the scholar natural light on his tomes. Magic users seem to keep to themselves for the most part, as I've only met one on the street. What do you do?"

He was not entirely certain about anything he said, only wanting to start a conversation. However, the moment he spoke, he realized that, should Brandon ask the same, he would have to lie. In the Star of Kalea, the thief does not reveal his profession lightly.

The bartender appeared to be preparing to leave, he shift likely up. A few of the more relaxed patrons were leaving as well, probably to head home after a day's work. This left Ardan, Brandon, one or two "normal" drinkers, and the four suspicious men.

Ardan observed them as closely as he could whilst inebriated. Something seemed off about them, aside from the scowls they wore. They ordered no drinks, said nothing, and did not even move from their spot. They held themselves rigidly, a sign of discipline. Who would be so disciplined, yet be at a bar? They were not assassins; Ardan went to great lengths to ensure that he was never identified. They were not soldiers; they were not armed or armored. This left one option: Shinya. Undercover Shinya, sent for either himself or Brandon. Had the panther been discovered? Had he not covered his tracks adequately? Or was Brandon more than he appeared?

x

Theme Credit to Euthisa

[Brandon Blackwing]

x

Seeing as his companion ploughed through the fourth round, reaching the next checkpoint, Brandon could not bear being left behind. If he can do that, I can too, so he thought as his lips parted and guzzled down the sweet drink with no reluctance at all. Too much alcohol in his blood? Stop this madness? No way, if anything he wanted more of the liquor. One tiny glass wasn’t really enough to get the full taste now, was it? Though sweet, the booze burned his throat like fire, causing his eyes to feel irritated and make them start to tear slightly. A need to cough arose too, but the bat managed to suppress it by holding his breath and pinching his mouth shut.

It took a while before the alcohol hit his head like a hammer, a sudden rush of dizziness rolling over him as he fell to a side, a passing patron meaning to leave came to his aid just in time, grabbing the thief’s body and thereby preventing him to slam into the floor. “Easy there, fellow, “ the woman uttered while pushing him back up, ensuring Brandon would not collapse as soon as she let go loosened her grip. Then, when the bat somehow managed to stay semi-normal on his feet-albeit by grabbing the bar like a lifeline- she shook her head pityingly. ”You shouldn’t drink so much- Hey! Ho! Give me that!”

Apparently, before she’d let go and as soon as the new barman had caught his eye, Brandon had signed he wanted a refill, which was what he held in his grip right now, clutching it in his hand as the woman tried to prevent it from reaching his lips. “Nooooo! It’smy drink! Go get your ownnn.”
“I’m trying to help you, fool!”
Her words did not reach him though, the only things his brains registered were his drink and the person trying to take it from him. As she was doing quite a good job preventing the bat from drinking, said bat realized he had to do something useful with his other arm, namely using it to keep the woman away. So he did and because of that action his balance was compromised, without the support of the bar Brandon staggered backwards and half a glass of honeyed whiskey plunged in his face and a bit on the woman too since she was too close to be safe from the alcoholic shower. Even though this seemed to thick her off quite a bit, this time again the woman halted the Kelvic’s backward motion and pushed him back into his original position -roughly. The result was a pretty loud collision of head and wood, the latter did not seem to care, and neither did the former actually, as no sound was made by the thief. “Whatever, do as you wish. I don’t care anyways! You’ll regret not taking my advice tomorrow!” And with that she paced away, seemingly fed up with the situation and kind as she might be, patience did not appear to be her strong suit –never really was the case with short-tempered people.

Ardan’s question that had been asked right before all that had been lost in the small struggle and needless to say, the thief did not reply. However, after having lied on the bar for a couple of chimes, Brandon suddenly lifted his head with lightspeed –he’d awoken- and then more or less pushed and wriggled his torso off the counter so he was standing up again. Seeming to think it was perfectly normal to pull stunts like that, he merely turned his face towards Ardan. “I don’t feel so good……… I have a headache I think … Is it just me or is it terribly hot in here?” he said in a mixture of muttering and actually speaking. “I’m not giving up though! I’m ready for the next round! ….. Are you?” spoke Bran while eyeing the other man, a smile overflowing with mockery and confidence spreading across his face. “Or do you want to forfeit?”

x

credit goes to Euthisa

[Ardan]

Ardan was snapped out of his thoughts upon noticing Brandon fending off a young woman who was trying to take his drink. Watching the grown man fight her off like a child was quite amusing to Ardan, whose reaction - which would have simply been a smile, if not for the drink - escalated to booming laughter. A few of the other patrons looked at him with resent for the noise, and he immediately calmed down, wiping tears from his eyes.

"I don't know, my friend. A few more drinks, and you'll be the one forfeiting. Perhaps you should just quit now, while you're ahead." His face lost all emotion as he leaned in, whispering the next part. "And don't look now, but a group of large men appear to be preparing to make trouble. So, if they start something and you want to be at least partially coherent for it, I would recommend we end this game."

x

Theme Credit to Euthisa

OOCSorry, this one was a bit short. I wasn't quite sure where to go from here without a response.

[Brandon Blackwing]

x

OOCI think Bran is a little bit too awfully drunk to heed warnings or even think rationally. When trouble shows up, trouble will be thrown back in their face! Though it might take a while before Bran manages to hit the mark in this state

The bat snorted as Ardan suggested Brandon might be the one having to forfeit, implying he wouldn’t hold out much longer. That was what the man thought of him? Well, too bad but the thief did not like to give up on something he knew he could win. Besides, it wasn’t that hard anyway, somehow he had imagined it to be tougher, but it wasn’t, it was quite easy. He felt like he could keep going, and instead of wanting to quit, he wanted to drink more and more. That honeyed whiskey was really good, sweet like honey and could be poured down like a glass of water.

The only problem the bat experienced was a headache that had inexplicably invaded his head for no valid reason and the way the floor swayed up and down, as if he was back on board of Cass’s ship. Not that he really noticed the swaying, but sometimes the floor closed in on him and pushed the bar him away, and the floor sloped to a side all of a sudden, which messed up his balance more than once. And it was spinning … he didn’t know exactly what, but there was something spinning, he could sense it. Then it hit him, it was clear as skyglass, how come he had never noticed before?

“Oi, Ardan,” he muttered –or almost yelled- wanting to share his discovery as the other guy was about to draw closer “I think …. I think Mizahar is spinning … I can feel it … can you too? I always thought it were Leth and Syna who wandered through the heavens, but I think they are stationary and that we … the land is spinning ….” Except for the bartender who burst out in laughter when he heard that nonsense, the bat’s shocking revelation was ignored.

As Ardan whispered something about a group of men and instructed not to look, the thief nodded understandingly and whispered back: “Ah, we’re conspiring against them? But don’t you worry, if they come I'll just say ‘heya mates, here, have an ale’ and they will be like ‘yeah, thanks pal’ and all will be alright.” A huge smile was beamed towards the other guy, and Brandon continued talking, not whispering anymore. “But you just said you gave up, didn’t you? Yes you did, you did, you really did! That means I won! I won, right? ” The question was aimed at the bartender, who –taken aback by the sudden query- only nodded in agreement.

“Yay! So, what’s my prize? I deserve I prize, don’t you think? Because I won! And he should get a consolation prize,” he grinned while pointing at Ardan, “Because he’s … he’s second place.”
“Yes, but …em… I am not sure …”
“Oh! He said yes! Ardan, he said yes! We get a prize! What is it? Come on, tell us! What’s it? Oh, it’s a secret! I get it! It’s a surprise!” Without realizing, the bat was pressuring the young lad who was in charge of the bar, who became rather uneasy.
“I guess I could give you a free drink…”
“Whoooooo! Free drinks!”

The bat received two mugs of ale (since that was the cheapest and wouldn’t cause the tavern to miss too much money at the end of the night), one of which he pressed into his companion’s hands. Then, while draping one arm over the other Kelvic’s shoulder, he smiled wildly and stated: “Now we sing!”

Holding his mug high, the bat started jumping from one leg onto the other, his other arm still around Ardan’s shoulders, dragging the man along and somewhat forcing him to go with his antics. Then, with a voice not accustomed to singing and not suited for it either, he started to maunder the lyrics of some song he’d heard (and sung) before with loud voice and no sense of rhythm.

“Fifteen men on a dead man's chest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum
Drink and Rhysol had done for the rest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.

Anananana nah nah nahnah nah gold
With a ton ohnana nahnahnha nah middle hold
And the cabins riot of stuff untold,
nahnahanhanhanah nah nah nahnahnah
Nahnah nahnahnahnah nah nah nah nahnah nah

Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum
Yo ho ho and a botlle of rum!”

x

credit goes to Euthisa

[Ardan]

As Ardan continued to drink, he grew less and less interested in the men near the entrance. Of course, this may have been due to the fact that it was getting harder to see them, due to the blurriness of his vision. The free ale was bitter, but strong. He had allowed himself a laugh at Brandon's foolish behavior, and hardly flinched when the Kelvic put his arm around him. Allowing himself a moment away from his usual inhibitions, Ardan joined Brandon in song, all but forgetting the fools by the door.

Of course, he did not know the words to sing, so he fumbled along Brandon's rather butchered version. He was not as loud as the other man, nor as hearty, but his lack of control allowed him to act far less reserved than usual. The sensible parts of his mind, now blocked out by alcohol, were screaming at him to get a hold of himself, lest he make a fatal mistake. However, this was one of those rare moments where he did not care in the slightest.

You're an idiot, commented one of the voices, Ardan knew not which.

"My man, I've not been this drunk in years!" exclaimed the panther, smiling. "Actually, I don't think I've ever been this drunk!"

He ordered some more of the cheap drink, his purse growing lighter by the pint. Unemployed, he was burning through his money quickly. Yet another unfortunate effect of his inebriation, he simply did not care.

"By the gods, I believe you're right! Mizahar is spinning, and the heavens are still! I can see it! Feel it in my legs!" His nonsense was, of course, only referencing the imaginary spinning of the room. However, the more drink he ingested, the more Brandon's ridiculous belief made sense. The ground seemed to be moving, but the sky was still as stone.

For once, he completely ignored the likely threat of the men near the door. Hopefully, they were not here for them. The world didn't revolve around the panther, not everyone was out to kill him.

Hell, right now the world revolved around the stars.

x

Theme Credit to Euthisa

[Brandon Blackwing]

x

The bat smiled as Ardan followed his lead and went along with his 'dance' and 'song'. They both were incredibly loud and neither of them seemed to be able to produce a note that didn't sound as if their throat was made of sandpaper, but Brandon didn't care. Ardan didn't seem to care either, the panther screamed at the top of his lungs, sometimes yelling the wrong words or improvising but that too did not matter to the bat, he was having a great time. However, while his enthusiasm was unmatched in the whole bar, the bat already started to pant and sweat heavily, out of breath way sooner than usual.

Of course, the Kelvic didn't realize it was due to the alcohol in his blood, and supposed it was due to the abnormal heatwave that had been enveloping the Star's Shadow ever since he'd started the drinking game. Exhausted, the bat wanted to stop the wild dance, but Ardan continued, unknowingly dragging the other Kelvic along, blabbing about his inebriated state happily. The bat couldn't help but laugh at the statement while untangling himself and catching his breath. His new companion ordered another ale in the meanwhile. “hahahaha! You should go out more, my friend! People have to unwind and have fun every once in a while after all!”

Voicing his surprise at the truth of Brandon'(s earlier statement, Ardan was rewarded by the bat's arm being draped around his neck again and with slurred words being yelled in his ear. “See? Nothing is how it seems to be, while Syna and Leth seem to wander, it is just Mizahar which turns! That is the discovery of the century, my dear friend!” the bat screamed while placing his empty mug on the counter, signaling the bartender -who was choking in his laughter- that he wanted a refill.

With tears streaming from his eyes the man did as asked, letting the alcoholic beverage flow into the Kelvic's mug. “You don't have to cry my dear man,” comforted the thief in all seriousness, “I know we just shattered your image of how things work, but don't worry, we don't think any less of you because of your ignorance. Right Ardan?” The bartender collapsed on the bar, shaking with laughter, and slamming his fist on the wood, tears still flowing richly. The bat frowned, correctly thinking it was something he'd said, but had no idea what exactly. Having managed to pull himself together, but unable to prevent the occasional outburst of laughter, the bartender explained.

“You guys are too much! Mizahar is … s-spinning? Hahahahahahaha! … No no, that's just the liquor you feel- pfffffffttt hahahahaha! Y-you fools, the ale's just making you dizzy!”
“No, I do not believe so! We-” he pointed to himself and his companion “are revolutionary thinkers! One day you will see that we were right! We can see what you cannot, that's what it means to be born one hundred years too early!”
“Drunk, yes, born too early? No.” replied the barman amused, leaning on his elbows while his hands supported his cheeks.
“Ha! You can call us drunk or crazy or whatever you want, but it doesn't change the fact that we will be proven right! We are revolutionists! One day everyone will accept what we have said as the truth!”

Once again the barman couldn't hold it anymore and lost himself in a waterfall of tears and laughing sounds. Brandon shrugged and turned his face towards Ardan with an eyebrow quizzically raised. “Is it just me or is that guy crazy?”

x

credit goes to Euthisa

[Ardan]

Ardan laughed to himself as the barman nearly suffocated on his own laughter. The ridiculousness of Brandon's theory was hilarious to any sober man, but made perfect sense to the drunk Kelvic and his companion. As the man collapsed against his bar, Brandon turned to ask Ardan his thoughts on the poor, ignorant soul's sanity.

"Perhaps, stated Ardan. "Perhaps we are. We may never know." He went to drink again, but no liquid filled his glass. He would have asked for another, if not for the strangely sobering feel of the tip of a blade against the back of his neck. His drunken smile faded, his burned-in fighting instinct penetrating the haze of inebriation. He tensed slightly, then relaxed, knowing that he was already at a great disadvantage. Even with a stomach for ale greater than most, he was still drunk, with his back turned to whomever held the blade.

"Ah," he sighed. "My friend, it appears we have found some trouble." The blade pressed into his neck slightly, but not enough to draw blood. The Kelvic could hear the man behind him sneer, his breath making the hair on the back of Ardan's neck stand.

"Damn fool, you really thought I wouldn't find you?" Hmm... He recognized that voice.

Keep him talking!

"Sir, I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about." The blade pressed further, almost able to draw blood. By this point, the barman had recovered, and was staring wide-eyed at whatever stood behind Ardan, not speaking at all. These men must have been impressive, and terrifying.

"Shut up, cretin. You expect me to think you don't remember? You stole from me!" In truth, it was quite hard to remember something so mundane, especially when drunk.

"I've stolen from a lot of people. How would I remember one?" Petch, wrong thing to say. The blade rented a bit. This either meant that the man was leaving, or preparing to kill. No chances could be taken. Quickly (albeit clumsily), Ardan spun around, grunting as a small cut was made on the back of his neck. The blade had not relented quite as much as he'd hoped.

He gave as convincing a growl as he could, pulling the dagger from his belt. He was clumsy, staggering about, needing to steady himself on the bar with one hand. However, his display of aggression must have worked, as the the four men before him back away slightly, drawing their own weapons. This was not a fight he could win alone, even if he had not decided to let these brutes live. He could not afford four murders in a city with Shinya.

"Brandon, I don't suppose you could help with this?" Asking a stranger for help was not Ardan's style, but he was out of options.

x

OOCHow about that new theme?

[Brandon Blackwing]

x

OOCI like your new boxcode! And I'm having a lot of fun with this thread, I'm glad you returned

“We are most definitely not,” the bat stated indignantly, crossing his arms with his head slightly tilted and pondering about it. “Unless Mizahar itself and all that stands on its surface has.” Did that even make sense? An eyebrow was raised quizzically while he inclined his head towards the other Kelvic and then turned away to take a sip of an ale. Whose ale it was exactly did not bother him, it was there and it tasted just fine. Not to mention it was free –for now. When the owner of the mug filled with beverage found out he’d probably be mad, but he still could pretend as if he had nothing to do with it. Sounded legit.

Strangely enough he never noticed the mountain-ape silhouette of the brute that stood behind his new friend until Ardan mentioned them. At that time, Brandon found he had to lift his head and look over his shoulder, his torso and arms draped over a tall table. He had no idea how he got there but he did not care anyway; his ale was with him and it was quite comfortable. In fact, he’d rather stay where he was than to look what was going on, and so he placed his head back, cheek pressing on the soft cloth.

There were grunts and sneers, words that formed sentences he did not pay that much attention to. Someone was threatening someone else, blabbing about stuff like stolen goods or so… It seemed the one being questioned was able to keep his calm, retorting with rather logical logic and rhetorical queries. One word flipped a switch in his mind though: stolen. Stolen? Who had committed thievery? Where they talking about him, by any chance? No wait, wasn’t that voice Ardan’s? Then Ardan had stolen from that guy? Good for him, Brandon just wanted to sleep.

Then, a growl was produced and someone seemed to be falling over himself. Hm, there was something going on, something that sounded interesting. It was then that Ardan’s call for help reached him, and it cut right through his semi-slumber. When had he even closed his eyes? Slowly he crawled off the table and onto his legs, grabbing his ale and taking another sip. He could see it quite clear now; four large men with stupid smiles on their faces. One of them -the leader, so it appeared- was huge and hairy, arms like furry logs and a chest like an anvil, fists like hammerheads. His face seemed a bit… smashed. As if someone had repeatedly kneed the mountain of a man on the nose, making his features even uglier than before. Fashion was not his strong suit either, it seemed; who the hell wore their shirt half-open when they had such a bush of chest hair? It bulged out, it was just disgusting.

The three others were rather… not quite intimidating. There was a lanky guy with a club and the complexion of a horse, including the teeth. Yet another seemed to be made out of fat entirely, but he grinned as if he was the leader of some infamous gang. Well, as long as he wouldn’t sit on the bat and his friend, they wouldn’t have too much trouble with him…. maybe. And the last of them…. Where was that guy anyway? And why were the other two suddenly so close by? Damn, someone was pushing him closer, but a look around did not reveal anyone near him. Unless the guy he bumped into was included of course.

Ale splashed out of his mug as he slammed into the last of the four ruffians, soaking the man’s shirt and shoes. “Hey! Watch where you are going, fool!” was yelled from above, the fourth guy’s face closing in on him fast as the man bended down. Was it just him or was this guy ridiculously tall? “And get out of the way!” A mighty push sent the bat stumbling backwards, falling over his own feet and suddenly staring at the ceiling from the ground. Brandon crawled back up with the speed of a newborn deer –as steady as one too- and decided to empty the mug he still held on to before helping Ardan. Much to his dismay though, no liquid streamed down his throat.

“Tch,”the Kelvic hissed before stumbling off once more, maybe not so subtly circling around the tall guy and stomping the man on the shin. A scream of pain left the man’s lips, and the bat laughed, pleased with his actions. Not for too long though, hands grabbed his clothes and lifted him off the ground, higher and higher, until he could actually look down on the tall dude –who seemed to be the one holding him. “So you’re a friend of that piece of shyke there, hmmm?” Brandon did not reply, he was too busy analyzing the heralds of his body. Being lifted and held made him nauseous, and the man’s face only made things worse. So did his breath.

He felt it coming, first there was the saliva; the kind that always came before as a warning. Excessive amounts that had a peculiar taste, one he always recognized. Then his stomach started cramping, twisting and convulsing painfully. What came next was to be expected: the contents of his stomach spouted out, compared to a dreadful moan. The smelly stuff cascaded down on the object directly in front of him, which happened to be the fourth guy’s face. Shock and disgust were enough to let him drop the bat, who fell down like a sandbag before hauling himself back up. Fourth Guy screamed, yelling things like: “Aaaahg!!! My eyes! It burns, it burns!” and other things along those lines. It was to be expected though; it was stomach acid after all.

It served as quite the distraction, three heads turning to the source of the screams and Brandon’s nearly muted commonsense told him it was best to get the hell out of here before they decided to focus back on the thief duo. His legs launched him through the enemy lines, and through the door, nearly kissing the floor many times while doing so. “This is the part where we run!” the Kelvic yelled at his companion in passing, “Unless you’d prefer them to get to the part where they gut us and feast upon our insides!” Clearly he was mistaking these guys for Myrians, but who cared?

x

credit goes to Euthisa

[Ardan]

Ardan could not help but laugh and exclaim, "Looks like I win the competition!" as Brandon vomited all over the brutish man. Ardan then agreed with Brandon's suggestion to run, sprinting past the thugs as quickly as he could. Unfortunately, their eader had some semblance of discipline, chasing after them without looking back. He managed to keep up with them, due to their inebriation. Were they sober, he'd not have stood a chance.

After some time running, Ardan grabbed Brandon, who had stumbled, and dragged him into an alleyway, hoping to escape. His hoping was futile, however, as they ran into a solid, stone wall. A dead-petching-end! Of course! Turning around, the man stood at the end of the alley, his longsword pointed at the panther menacingly, a dark grin on his ugly face.

"It's taken me a long petching time to find you, goddamn shyke. Now, I'm gonna gut you 'n hand your skin above my fireplace!" The name clicked into Ardan's mind, and he nearly laughed out loud. Jaq Sevetin? This brute was the man he had stolen a golden idol of some pagan god from, a year ago. He had gone to all this trouble just to make him pay for that? An idiot, for sure.

"I remember you, Jaq. I stole your little statue, didn't I? Ugly thing barely sold for shyke. Probably worth less than those idiots you hired. How much did they cost you, anyway?

"Five gold Mizas each," he stated, slightly insulting Ardan. Twenty gold? That almost hurt.

"And you already paid them, didn't you?" If he said yes, he was even stupider than-

"Of course." stupid, goddamn, petching, vagik! He had already paid those brutes, who were certainly loyal to no more than the coin he had paid. Ardan allowed himself a smile. That meant that no one would miss this shyke.

As the brute advanced slowly, Ardan suddenly removed his cloak, before throwing off his shirt. Jaq stood, confused as always, as Ardan ran forward, leaping into the air. Sliding out of his trousers, he transformed into his true, panther form. Landing just before the bewildered man, he immediately jumped upward, not even having to dodge his blade.

He did not enjoy murder, especially brutality, but this man had to be silenced forever, or he would keep hunting the Kelvic. So, he sank his teeth into the man's throat, knocking him over. It worked, and the man couldn't scream for help, as the cat's fangs closed his throat.

After only a few seconds, Jaq died, and Ardan stood. He had removed yet another thorn from his side, and changed back into his human self. He wanted to say that the man's blood tasted awful, but that would be lying. It tasted magnificent. Not looking at Brandon, he went back to don his clothing.

"Sorry, he apologized. "You did not have to see that. No one will be looking for him, and his goons definitely don't want to report this to the Shinya. The bartender was just a lad, and will be too afraid to inform anyone. Aside from that, the other patrons likely didn't know our names, and were too drunk to see our faces. The only person I really have to worry about it you." He looked at the other man suspiciously, finally tightening his belt once more. He liked Brandon, and did not want to kill him. However, if he was a threat, the panther would have no choice.

x

OOCNice descriptions of the thugs!