Completed [The Rearing Stallion] Bloodshot Eyes

[Kaie]

Kaie Time Stamp: 68th Day of Spring, 513 AV Cold. Dark. Musky. Just like very other night at the Rearing Stallion pub. It was starting to get late. A few chimes after the twentieth bell. The Syliras streets were lined with torches to light the way, but inside the bar it was fairly dim. The wooden stools were gathered close to the bar counter, chairs huddled around relatively empty tables. It was a slow night in comparison to the last time she was on duty. Most of the furniture was in shoddy condition, patched up in the crudest of ways. Most of it was hardly stuck together. She was surprised none of the patrons fell through their seats when they tried to sit down. Maybe it was worth it. Well, not to her boss anyways. Kaie on the other hand couldn't help but appreciate a good brawl. The air there still had that specific musk to it, like the staining of wood was changed to the smell of stale ale. Spilled beer and poor food too. Maybe it was its mediocrity that drew the locals in. And by locals she meant the resident alcoholics. Occasionally there was that poor travelling soul who got sucked in too. "You know...I just. Love the way you pour my ale. It's so fluid and smooth. You know?" The Myrian woman sighed deeply, mentally returning to her bright and friendly facade. She beamed a smile, turning toward the drunkard seated down the counter. Head swiveling, her brown hair slid across her back and past her shoulders in its vast arrays of curls and waves. All that was required was that she served drinks and pretended she cared about whatever was said to her. Which she hardly did. The caring bit, she meant. Half the time what was said to her was slurred beyond comprehension or utterly random. This was one of those times. "Just. Just tell me. How....You do it. Because I just. I just. You're just pretty. You know that?" One look at the guy and Kaie had to restrain her eyes from rolling back with annoyance. He was tattered and certainly not a noble. Blonde hair was matted and his face was unshaven. Dirt was crammed deep behind his finger nails. His hazel eyes were bloodshot beyond belief, milky almost in their foggy state of drunkenness. The guy couldn't have been older than twenty four at the most. Human, no doubt. He must've been drunk for days if that was possible. Poor guy must've emptied his flask. "No, I didn't. You know I can't tell you my secrets, the competitors would kill each other for that kind of information." She said with forced enthusiasm, knowing damn well her information was as useful as Bikka in Syliras. They hadn't had big competition on this side of the city, their target customers could afford what was offered and the location was decent. All else that was really well known were the higher end inns but not everyone could afford to go there. Besides, her special technique of pulling a lever wasn't going to make or break the business. It was an awful attempt at a joke but she found that when they were that far gone, no effort was needed. "You, you know what? You. Are right! Wouldn't want those petching BASTARDS knowing that! I don't want them knowing shyke about you!" The drunk blonde smashed his clenched fist on the table with vigor. Hazel eyes burning with passion for whatever he said. Or was that just the brightness of the red veins that misguided her? Either way, he was a mess and she hadn't a clue what to do with him Go along with it seemed like the best option. "Exactly. Couldn't have said it better myself." Kaie offered in her best attempt to keep boredom from slipping into her tone. She seemed to have done a decent job of it because the blonde nodded and slid another pair of Mizas across the counter at her. Was there a penalty in Syliras for encouraging human patrons to drink themselves to death? Guess we'll find out. She took the Mizas and placed them where the belonged. Then, she grabbed his empty mug and placed it under the tap. Pulling the lever on the keg, fresh ale flowed like a river of sweet nectar. She cut it just as its foam began to reach the top, knowing soon it would overflow and make a mess otherwise. Kaie returned it to the bargoer who slowly clasped his hand around the handle. The blonde mess of hair lowered his head to the edge of the froth, slurping it like a dehydrated man in the desert. This guy should really consider a water soon. Before she could make another comment, she heard the screech of wooden legs dragging along the floor. Brown eyes widened a bit as the drunk raised his mug to the ceiling, legs shaking. Froth rolled down the edges where water managed to condense around the outside. For the love of Myri, what is he doing? He opened his mouth with a determined expression, eyes unfocused but a furrow in his young brow. Lips started to move but before a word got out, he dropped like a rock. Face first. Bang. Kaie couldn't help but cringe at the sound. He fell to quickly for anyone to have caught him and she wasn't convinced he didn't break his face. She was just about to clear the counter when she heard his soft snoring. Ale spilling across the floor. Dammit.

[Coud Von Voltaire]

Coud Van Voltaire Coud made his way to the rearing stallion. It had been a long day for him, preforming maintenance on his automations can be a bit of a hassle. He hand also cut himself numerous times with his carving tools. Tonight was just one of those nights when Coud just wants to have a drink, nothing strong to make him pissed but strong enough to ease his troubles. Coud trudged over to the tavern, opening the doors and entered the building. Cou looked around to locate the bar and slowly walked towards it. Cou sat down two seats away from a blonde hair man with a rugged face that seem to have passed out and had spilt his ale. There was a bartender who was cleaning up the spilled ale. She had long wavy brown hair and looked as if she was an athlete. Cou reached into his jacket, dipping his hand in his coin purse for a gold-rimmed miza. “Dear Bartender, do you have any wine?” Cou said, placing a gold-rimmed miza on the bar. Cou wasn’t a fan of ale; he didn’t like the stale taste of yeast. In fact Cou wasn’t really a fan in alcohol in general. he wouldn’t normal touch the stuff. However, sometimes when things seem blue, a sip or two would help the mood. “What happened to that guy, Dear bartender? Did he have one too many?” Cou asked, sliding the miza around in circles with his finger.

[Jantys Vane]

Jantys walked into the Rearing Stallion, not even quite sure why the petch he was here. He was broke as could be, completely mizaless; he had searched every pouch and pocket he owned, but not a petching copper to his name. Therefore, buying himself a desperately-needed drink was basically out of the question. Then again, maybe some generous soul would look kindly on the poor squire and pour him one or two. Besides, it was better than going home.

The man surveyed the tavern with an experienced eye, noting the regulars but not approaching them; only if he was desperate. A newer face caught his eye, however; a young man speaking to a barmaid. His eyes caught hold of the shiny gold miza on the table, and a smile broke out on his haggard face. Moving over as smoothly as an overweight former drunkard could, he slips into a seat on the opposite side of the man.

It was about then he noticed the passed-out man. He looked vaguely familiar, probably another regular, but he couldn't tell any more details from this vantage point. The man was just in the process of inquiring about the man, and Jantys leans back, thinking THAT question was one he could handle.

"Yeah, that guy looks just about done for the night, I'd say," he states, groaning slightly as a muscle or two in his back twanged. He had been practicing that day, and his body was completely unused to the physical exercise. Adjusting himself uncomfortably into the seat, he continues. "Disgraceful, innit? A man who can't hold his petchin' drink." Oh, that was rich, Janny, real rich.

He leans down a bit, looking at the barmaid clean up the ale, trying (with little success) to not glance at her chest. "You need help with that?" He almost adds something uncouth like 'honey' or 'darling', but stops himself. Come on, Jantys, you're a knight-in-training or some shit, don't dishonor your name or whatever.

[Kaie]

Kaie The bartender sighed looking at the mess. Another large stain spilled across the invisible domain of many before it. Just like the others, she'd need to clean it up. Disappearing for a moment, she left to the back room to find a bucket and some rags. Considering the amount he had in that mug, she'd need several. Returning shortly with a bucket of water and the rags in hand, Kaie marched past the counter to take on the collateral damage from the fall. Kneeling down, she could hear the uneven snoring of the passed out drunk. Well. At least he was alright. “Dear Bartender, do you have any wine?” So preoccupied with her task, she hardly noticed the man enter. Was that wine he asked for? Unconventional for a guy, but that was none of her business. Without even stopping what she was doing she replied. "Of course. I can grab you a glass for one in gold, my friend. Just give me a minute." She dropped a few rags over the bronze liquid promptly. Relatively quickly, it was soaked by the cloth. Once they were saturated in the booze, Kaie lifted each into the bucket. She twisted the fabric, squeezing the ale into the water and removing the cloth for another round. Bending over, she scrubbed at the floor on hands and knees, forcing the stickiness off the wood. Then she heard the sound of boots stepping rather proudly across the bar. “What happened to that guy, Dear bartender? Did he have one too many?” The man asked though she knew the answer was clear to both of them. She dropped another rag into the bucket, exchanging it for a fresher one though with each dip that was becoming a meager supply. Before she had any chance to reply, another voice came. By the way he spoke, she could only assume it belonged to the newcomer she had just heard enter. "Yeah, that guy looks just about done for the night, I'd say. Disgraceful, innit? A man who can't hold his petchin' drink." Kaie shook her head with a small smile as she dug the cloth into the floor, scrubbing the last sticky bits away permanently from the now dry floor. This one is definitely a character. Maybe finally a source of crude entertainment. With the small crowd there tonight, she hadn't much else to do. "You need help with that?" Kaie's bold brown eyes looked up, seeing a large guy seated at the counter leaning over to look at her. Well, looking more focused on her cleavage. "If you find anything down there, you let me know." She said rather sarcastically but it was all in good nature. She wasn't that bitter, at least not while on the job. Besides, she was used to it. It seemed like even a drop of liquid courage could send even the most level headed patron her way to flirt. Or at least admire what of her they could see. Kaie tossed all the rags in the dirty bucket, carrying it to the back room where she emptied its contents and left it for the washer to clean. Returning, she moved behind the bar again with a bottle of wine and glass in hand. The Myrian woman removed the cork and proceeded to fill the glass accordingly. The red wine poured generously from the bottom until it reached the appropriate mark. She pulled the bottle back upright, corked it and put the bottle on the shelf behind her. Finally, she pushed the glass forward toward the polite guy who had asked for it. A bronzed hand came forth from her side, palm turned up to receive the Miza rather than rudely take it from his hands. "And what about you, tough guy? How dark do you want your ale tonight?" She turned her gaze to meet the larger guy who was so vocal, looking at him expectantly. It was a bar after all and she was surprised he hadn't demanded anything from her just yet.

[Rinn Emris Ohm]

Rinn was already inside the bar enjoying the ambience. He liked to watch the living make fools of themselves. It brought comfort inside him knowing that he didn't have to deal with the horrible feelings they called "hangovers" the day after. Rinn just sat in the far corner with his ghostly mask abroad his face. Thinking up the very next way to have some harmless fun. Laughing intently as the obvious drunkard tried to flirt with the barkeep. Yes she was quite beautiful in that "living" sort of way, and he ultimately felt bad for her after the man made quite a mess of himself on the ground. Getting up off the small bench in the corner, passing by a somewhat familliar squires face giving a quick nod as he kneeled over towards the woman cleaning. "Please madam, allow me to help you cleanup the mess." He said with a smirk.

Slowly dissolving himself into the unconcious mans body, he took brief control of the man with little resistance if any. The man (and Rinn) got up groggily with eyes still closed and a flattened, passed out look still on his face. After a short minute of getting accustomed to his new body, he rubbed his hosts face only to be greeted with a long trail of drool and snot. "Oh how wonderful..." he said sarcastically. "Please allow my colleague to recompense for his nuisance." Rinn spoke through the man but with his own ghostly echo. Stuffing his hand in his pocket and pulling out several silver mizas and a lint filled button. Using the body still, he gave a quick polite bow before dropping the mizas on the table and walking towards the exit like one would imitate a wooden toy soldier. Once he reached the exit, he gave a quick step outside before releasing the drunkard out into the cold night air. Releasing hold of the body felt a bit arkward as the drunkard ended up slumping down into the dirt in pretty much the exact same position he was inside.

Rinn quickly blinked back inside and sat at his bench seat in the corner like nothing ever happened. "What a generous man." Rinn chuckled before watching the woman clean up the rest of the mess.

[Jantys Vane]

Jantys colored a little at her insinuation, but a bit of a smile graces his face, understanding it to be in good fun. Normally he wasn't so forgiving, but he tended to be in a better mood while in a tavern. This particular mood swing was quickly crushed by her question. He frowns, scratching the back of his head and grumbling something before replying.

"Just water," he states reluctantly. It wasn't that he was trying not to drink out of some sense of honor or anything. He was just flat broke, not a miza to his name, and he didn't want to start trouble by asking for things he couldn't pay for.

As he asks, though, he blinks in surprise as someone swooshes by him. Not quite getting a good look at him in the poor lighting, and busier trying to gauge whether the wine-drinking table-member would be willing to buy him an ale or four, he thus does not notice anything peculiar is about. That is, until the man bolts upwards, startling him.

Swearing, Jantys jumps in his seat, blinking at the fellow. His voice and mannerisms, though, were completely calm and unslurred, which was quite the surprise. Watching the man awkwardly and stiffly walk straight out of the tavern, after paying, no less, he begins suspecting something just might be wrong. And when the ghost blinks back to settle at the table, his eyes latch onto him with accusatory recognition.

"Oh, shykka, it's you again," he mutters, just loud enough for him to hear, and reaches for his drink, finding none. This only annoys him further as he turns towards the ghost. "You don't have any call taking over the bodies of poor, unsuspectin' drunkards like that, that's just plain immoral." He treats the ghost to his best indignant glance before turning away, not about to make a big deal of it if the ghost was going to argue the point, and tugs on the barmaid's sleeve. "Better make that an ale, thank ya."

[Kaie]

Kaie Kaie watched with a bit of awe as the ghostly helper took control of the passed out man, tossing her money and walking him right out of the door. Generous, really. Picking up after other people was actually getting real petching old. One might've been surprised to see the Myrian wasn't too shocked at the existence of a ghost, but she had become accustomed to them. After all, she met one in the Bazaar one time under...Unusually dangerous circumstances. Kaie wasn't really one to go around asking for help, but she wasn't rude enough to completely disregard the fact the entity did her a valuable favor. Gratitude was to be expected, even if it wasn't really her way. "Thanks for that. I owe you one. I don't really know about the ins and outs of being undead, but if you need something it's on me."She said with a smile, nodding her head at him in acknowledgement as she circled back behind the counter. Looking out towards the room, she couldn't help but notice a few jaws had hit the floor in surprise. One woman had the look of naive horror and another man looked as if he might bolt right then and there. Obviously, not everyone had been exposed to spirits. Didn't matter though. When it came down to it, this guy was like any other. She knew what a bad rep meant even though she adored her own. Now what to do with the spare change? She turned the two silver coins in her bronzed hands curiously, searching for a purpose. She could pocket them of course. It was true, this Myrian woman desperately needed the money for her travels. To pay for ships, living expenses, supplies, and the like. Yet, she'd probably end up having to split it with Seth. She couldn't not give her fellow coworker his deserved money. She liked him too much to deny him that right. She didn't see much use for one silver coin anyway as much as she liked feeling the weight of it in her hand. Finally, she came up with a better solution. "Hey, squire. With all the attention your eyes gave me earlier, I think you owe me a drink. I'm not supposed to be wasted on the job, so maybe you can have mine." The savage woman joked half heartedly, sarcasm soaking into her words. Without further ado, she added the coins to the profit and turned to the shelf behind her. Kaie grasped two mugs and filled them up with dark, foaming ale. Condensation sparkled along the rims of the mugs as she slid one to Jantys and the other to Rinn as a thank you.

[Jantys Vane]

Jantys' eyes widen in surprise. It wasn't often the barmaid offers to pay for your drink. His mouth stretching into a rare, honest smile, he takes the ale gratefully. "Thank yah, ma'am. Very nice of you." He doesn't seem too embarrassed by her comment on where me may or may not have been looking, the euphoria of finally having a drink overriding such a petty emotion. He takes a sip of the ale. Immediatly the rich flavor floods over his tongue, and he closes his eyes, loving every bit of it, from the taste to the way the cold liquid slid down his throat, cooling down his whole body. He could feel the stress melting off of him already. When the mug is placed back on the table again, it is already a third of the way to empty. Finally sated, he takes a more engaged look at the barmaid. Judging from the caste of her skin, she didn't seem quite human. Perhaps Myrian or one of those desert people with the funny names. He didn't know much of such foreign people and cultures, but what he did know scared him (almost as much as knowing that he didn't know anything). It seemed, to him, that everywhere outside of Syliras was a barbarian wasteland. His eyes wander over her form. ...Well, she seems nice enough, anyways. Chastising himself once again, but gently, he looks at her face before she leaves. "But, seriously, lass, thank yea. 'S been awhile since I've had a good drink."

[Kaie]

Kaie appraised the guy coolly, taking in his looks and judging his character. He was definitely a washes out looking man. Definitely didn't seem too concerned with how he kept himself. Not quite a vagik but he could easily get there. For a squire he wasn't too proud. Never have her a sideways glance or a wave when she offered. Just took the handle and quenched his thirst. Bottoms up.

Kaie took out a rag from beneath the counter and began to wave it across the table. She did that often. Cleaning. Considering her line of work, it was just an obligation. They couldn't afford to have stale drinks and stray chunks of food laying around. That was true for any culture. Cleanliness brought the customers back if the services and products didn't.

"What are you? Some type of alcoholic? Do that allow that in the knighthood?" She teased shamelessly, watching the man place the drink down. It was almost done and he hasn't the money to buy another or so it seemed. She could only guess he handle touched a glass in a while. Plenty of knights roamed through the Stallion's doors but few chugged their ale as enthusiastically as this one.

[Jantys Vane]

Jantys winces slightly at her words. It was a legitimate question, and therefore Jantys would have to decide between telling her to petch off or actually answering. He supposed he didn't mind the conversation, especially with a good drink in his hands, and she HAD bought him a drink. As far as Jantys was concerned (he thought while taking a loving sip), that was worth all the probing questions in Syliras. "Mhm, I once was a drunk, not too long 'go. But I've been tryin' to clean up a bit an' set myself straight. There no rule that I can't have one o' two drinks e'ery once in awhile, though." Especially since he set his own rules. Or, really, his empty coinpurse did. He eyes the barmaid again, wondering why she was sticking around. Maybe she didn't have any other tables to get to. The ale in front of him put him in a good enough mood to inquire back. He spoke up, his eyes a bit more engaged and lively, his rambling slurry 'accent' taking a sharper note, his voice slowing and becoming more comprehensible. "And what are you up to? Foreign girl workin' in a tavern. Sur'ly yea got your own plans?"