[Featured characters: Borus, Chris, Geddoe, Percival] Budehuc Castle: Tavern This little adjunct is one of the busiest places in the manor. The long, thin room is filled with tables lined up end to end, stretching from full from one side to the other. Red carpets line the floors where furniture does not, and more than a half dozen small, curtained windows and small, hung lights provide ample lighting for the room. The bar itself spans nearly half the room, snug against the wall, with a kitchen tucked neatly in the back. A stage takes up the full back of the room, decked with dark salmon and rose-colored curtains. ===== Ah, opportunity has struck, and Borus was smart enough to take full advantage of it. Following the Castle Master's speech, or, non-speech as it were, people started drifting out of the courtyard. A pity some might say, given all of the hardwork that went into the decorations. Still, this knight finds being forced to endure the company of those he doesn't like to be unbearable. At a Zexen party, he might be interested....there would be fine food, fine wine, and plenty of women interested in a dance. What was there here? Dogs, lizards, uncouth mercenaries, and dirty Grassies! It sounded more like a lynching than a ball! So, armed with a bottle of his finest vintage, a Merlot that is not red, but a rare breed of white, he finds his way to the tavern. Perhaps someone will come to join him here, and a good discussion will commence...or perhaps not, and he'll just be content to drink his wine. Chris looks around as the crowd begins to disperse. As the many people wander away with their friends...or enemies to say the least, she wonders how she'll spend the night herself. Gracious no, Chris will never spend the night dancing or drinking. That idea would never ever come to her mind. However she didn't plan to stay alone either. With the area cleared, she examined the possibilities of where to go and who to go with. She decided it was better to just stay with someone she was more familiar with and with that she followed Borus into the tavern. The tavern. Tavern means drinking and laughing in a roused manner. So maybe coming here wasn't a good idea. Her own knights, once again drinking and getting themselves drunk silly. Did I mention again? Chris now knew that she had to stay here just to be the caretaker. She had to make sure her knights didn't get over drink. If they get to drunk they won't sober up anytime soon. And the night has just started. Well Geddoe doesn't feel like hanging around anywhere in particular... so he'd made his way into the tavern. It might be too much to hope someone is manning the taps - looks like he's fortunate so he's there ordering something nice... and strong. Of course, he's noticed he's also in the company of one... no two Zexen Knights... it might be too much to hope for a good evening of anything.... if Salome had been one of them - MAYBE.... Sorry Geddoe, no Salome for you today. But we have Percival, making his own escape from the chaos of the courtyard, and it should be apparent from the blank, rather tight expression on his face that he would like a nice, quiet evening himself. He leans against the door for a moment, listening. His attire is rather plain, consisting of a nicely cut black coat and slacks, and a hint of a white shirt at the cuffs and collar. He doesn't want to stand out in the crowd today, or he might have attempted something a little more flamboyant. When a minute passes and nothing distressing makes itself known through the door, he turns to face the room again and find a place to sit. And... he grins. Borus /and/ Chris, and Geddoe for good measure! This may be just what he needs - a safe haven. After a well trained sniff of the wine, Borus takes a sip. Ah, it is perfect, a wonderfully semi-dry taste with a hint of tart aroma. The blonde knight then takes a second discriminating sip, and upon noticing Chris, he rises, as any gentleman would do in the presence of a lady--knight or otherwise. He smiles at her, and sounds maybe just a bit too happy to be greeting his Captain. "Milady! Care to join me?" Ah, and then Geddoe and Percival appear. The former isn't bad for a ruffian, and his friend is always welcome. Another invitation is extended to the two of them, but it is made by a simple wave of the hand. "Good evening, Borus. Sadly, you should know I don't approve of drinking before battle." Chris says as she clenches her hand on the backside of a chair, pulling it out and seating herself down. "We could be in battle tomorrow for all we know." Chris turns around at the sound of Geddoe's footsteps and greets him with a friendly wave. "Good evening to you, Geddoe" before noticing that Percival was also present. "Oh, hello Percival." she greets again giving him a wave as well. Everyone must be interested in drinking Chris thought woefully. Why else would they be here. And this was suppose to be a dance. One would think Borus has a budding career as a Somellier.... Geddoe prefers the stronger brews - just because... but also, he doesn't drink all that much but he likes the good strong stuff when it can be found. Sadly, Budehuc is not the place to find 'better' stuff. So... well... decent alcohol will do. He's with... the knights... right.... Well... he admittedly has to have respect for them - Wyatt was one after all.... for a while. "Good evening knights of Zexen..." he says taking a sip of what he's ordered at the counter. "Evening." Percival nods to Geddoe and makes his way over to Borus's table. He isn't sure one can call it good, quite... There is a bit of a frantic dart to his eyes as he looks about the room, as if he expects a monster to jump out of the cupboards at any moment. And who can say that won't happen? Although admittadly, monsters are the least of Percival's concerns at the moment. He should have known better than to make an appearance at a /dance/. What on earth was he thinking? "I'll have a glass, if you don't mind," he mutters to Borus, dropping into a chair. At the moment, even Chris's presence isn't enough to discourage him from drinking. He /needs a drink/. Borus smiles broadly as Chris takes a seat as his table. This might be a better night than he had thought! A chance to talk to her about something other that war, training, battles, horses and all of that is a rare commodity indeed. When she chastises him (albeit it seemed lightly) about the wine, he starts to frown, but then gives her another grin, and digs up all of the charm he has in his usually cantankerous self. "Ah, milady, I don't intend to get drunk. A glass or two is nothing, and if you were to share it with me, there's be less to drink." A nod to Geddoe, in acknowledgement of the greeting is given, but it is brief, for Borus has just noticed his obviously upset friend. He quickly pours a glass for Percival, without even offering to announce the name of the vintage he's serving, as any well-bred man would do. He'd ask what's wrong, but isn't sure it's a conversation that needs to had in front of Chris... Chris stares hopelessly at the two in near her. What is in alcohol that make men crave for it so much? Sure it is addictive. But their knights! They should know how to control themselves. Where has all the discipline gone? Or maybe its asking for to much. There probably wasn't any discipline in the first place and Chris just didn't notice. Chris glances towards the counter and stares blandly at Geddoe who was also drinking. Yes, she was the only one left. Giving out a sigh, Chris seizes one of the nearby glasses and holds it out to Borus. "One glass only..." she says in a drained and dead tone of voice. Chris never saw this coming and didn't except she of all people would be drinking tonight. Though her objection was to finish Borus's bottle of wine quicker then it should have. Let's hope he doesn't have more in stash. It's just nice... This is the one thing Geddoe is having tonight.... honestly. "Even Wyatt wasn't above the occasional drink, Chris," Geddoe replies looking over his pint or so of alcohol. He hasn't quite made his way over... Chris's reluctant desire to join the boozing is understandable - mercenaries are the ones that get rowdy and drunk and act improper... knights... shouldn't. "Knights are humans too." "Indeed," Percival murmurs, taking a long sip. He almost doesn't notice what he's drinking, as his gaze has already gone back to the door. It appears he won't be followed, as they probably would have made a beeline for the door if they saw him enter, but one can't be too careful. But his gaze darts back to Chris when she gives in and requests a glass - his eyebrows must be hitting his hairline. Chris Lightfellow, drinking? The world really is ending, and without the help of the Destroyers, apparently. That, or Borus's wine is that good... which he has to admit, it really is. No surprise there. "So, how are you tonight, my friends?" He inclines his head to Geddoe again, directing the question to him as well. "Are we all just seeking a bit of peace and quiet?" Goddess knows the castle could use a bit of that. Borus gives an uncharacteristic charismatic smile, as he fills Chris's glass with the exotic wine. "I am very pleased that you're drinking this vintage, milady. My family bottled it in your honor." He hopes she appreciates that, wine doesn't get named for random people, and what better vintage to name after the Silver Maiden than a white Merlot. A nod to Geddoe's sentiment--yes, knights are human, too, and sometimes they can even be personable! He smiles at Percival--the other knight should know he's having quite a good time. He's got a glass of wine in Chris's hand, and they're all seated here ready to have a good chat with a great drink. So, with a bit of a flourish, he raises his glass to all of them and offers a toast. "May the saddest moment of your future be no worse than the happiest of your past, my friends." Chris sits upright staring at her glass. It really does look unsavoury from her point of view. Water would have been just as good. "Might I remind you..." Chris says suddenly in Geddoe's direction "....that we are still at war. Which is why indulging in activities such as this is unacceptable at this time. You never know when we will be attacked or when we can attack ourselves." Despite saying that, Chris had a feeling that she was wavering into being a hypocrite. It seems really wrong to lecture someone about drinking when your holding a glass yourself. "I was looking for peace and quiet..." Chris says in reply to Percival's comment before lifting her own (full) glass up for a toast. So now all she has to do is drink it. Geddoe isn't sure what to make of the toast, but he toasts to it and takes a long drink. He answers mildly, to Chris, "Soldiers are human to, lady. They need to enjoy and celebrate. Something to remind them what they fight for - what they should be grateful for." He snorts, "Now I'm turning into a romantic in my old age. Enough preaching from the old man." Percival's lips twitch into a smile as he raises his glass to his friends. Geddoe receives an amused glance. If he thinks that qualifies as romantic, he doesn't have a thing to worry about. It sounds like common sense to him, and in fact, he has thrown a similar argument at Chris many times in the past. Perhaps that speaks for how effective it is. "I'm sure we can relax for a few moments without fear, milady. If the Destroyers are likely to attack now, they are just as likely to attack us as we sleep... and we have sentries set, either way. Keeping things somber will not prepare us any more for their summonings." And this he knows as fact. The knights of Zexen fight human foes, for human reasons, and rarely do they come across the more extraordinary variety of enemy their opposition has been throwing at them. He can say honestly that there is something about fighting a walking stack of bones that is chilling under /any/ circumstance. The supersittious soldiers probably aren't doing very well. "I think the dance will do our men some good, as long as it is not taken to excess." Although he's rather disappointed that Chris didn't even acknowledge the honor of having a wine named for her, Borus tries not to let it carry onto his face. This is a time to be happy, and as Geddoe and Percival have pointed out, a time to relax. He isn't sure what to talk about with this diverse group. ..so he comes up with the best excuse for conversation he can, and asks the collective group, "What do you plan to do after we rid the world of these destroyers?" Hmm...he frowns...maybe that wasn't the best thing to ask...talking about these people isn't going to help people forget their problems, but the damage is already done. That's Borus for you...act first, think later. Chris resolved to stay silent. No point in arguing. She still had to face the fact that she hasn't drank any of her wine yet. At least there was conversation to keep things busy. Maybe they won't notice. "I don't plan to do anything special" Chris says quietly "The first thing we would do is go back to Zexen." So maybe the conversation was to bland. They would notice soon enough that despite pouring her a glass Chris still hasn't drank any of it. And she didn't want to anger Borus so Chris stood up after her remark and examined the 3. "I'll be going to see what everyone else is doing. We can't stay here all night. I'll see you all later." With that, Chris strolled off and left the tavern. "....." Someone is not at all like their father.... well... maybe a little bit.. "I don't know... There's a price for my head for attacking the Masked Bishop." Lalalala... it probably hasn't been lifted either... "So perhaps returning to the Southern Fringe Security Force will be a little difficult..." "Shouldn't Bishop Sasarai be able to take care of that?" Percival asks, watching Chris leave with only a hint of disappointment. She hadn't appeared very fond of the idea of drinking, so it's better she enjoy herself elsewhere, in his view. He shoots a sympathetic look to Borus before he continues, though - that can't have been a very nice way to watch her go. "You /are/ doing him a service here... I'm no expert on Harmonian politics, but surely that is worth something." He gestures to the chair Chris has vacated. "Please, have a seat, if you're inclined. Better to talk across a table than half the room." Whatever the two men are saying aren't registering with Borus. He is just staring at the place Chris just was and audibly growls. She didn't even wait for him to ask her to stay! She left her glass...but didn't touch any of it. A special wine, made just for her, and she didn't even drink it! He grabs his own glass and takes a deep swallow--this might have just started out as a light-hearted conversation centered around some wine, but now he had a mission to drink! That woman. That impossibly intoxicating woman! So all the more reason to get Borus a bit... happy...? Geddoe nods and shifts from where he'd been standing to move over to join the two knights. "Perhaps." Sometimes he wonders if he'd be better off not going back to Harmonia... who knows...? He takes a swig from his mug but only after he's sat down. Percival sighs, glancing again at Borus. He was afraid that would happen... this night, of all nights, is probably the worst time for it to happen, with all of the festivity around them. All things considered, however, it might be best to keep Borus in here and drinking rather than let him leave. At least here, they can keep an eye on him, and maybe even cheer him up. Ha. "War is so troublesome," he mutters, taking another drink. Really, any day with the knights is troublesome, but the precarious balance they have here with Chris... a sigh, and yet another sip. "I think after this is over, I make take leave for a while..." Setting the bottle aside, Borus turns to Anne and orders a straight drink of grain alcohol, the strongest variety. If Chris wasn't going to drink _her_ wine, neither was he. Maybe he was deluding himself with how good it was...a white Merlot was rare, but it was better to let this one go to waste than to have any more. When the drink is delivered he takes a sip, the liquid nearly burning his throat. Its a good burn, and will make this process go fast. Drink. Forget. Drink. Forget. Repeat. Such is the life of one who spends his whole life taking the lives of others. Its easier to wake with a headache than with a memory... he glares at Percival. "You'd leave us? Where would you go?" Ah... going for the strongest stuff.... Geddoe wonders if Borus can really stomach that... well this should be entertaining.... A leave.... it sounds nice... "Thinking of returning home to whereever you are from....?" "Yes..." Percival watches his fellow knight mildly, one eyebrow raised slightly. This is going to go from entertaining to pathetic in short order. But it might be a blessing to let him pass out. "My home was attacked by the lizards not too long ago. They need help rebuilding - things are not going well now, with the war. We're lucky the harvest was already underway, but that is being slowly consumed by our armies." Never let it be said Iksay does nothing for the greater country. Merchants might be of the opinion that farmers are worthless, but where do they get their food, pray tell, or their textiles for trade? They don't think of that. "My presence will do more good there until the reconstruction is finished. Borus here can lead a charge just fine without me, as long as I'm only gone a few months." He'd be useless come planting season, anyway. The short knight may have had some strong wines in his time, but whatever Anne just served him was making the world spin, so much so that he was grabbing the table to just stay on it! Of course, it probably didn't help that he's now well through his second glass. Damn that barkeep. She was too efficent at keeping glasses full. What did Karayans make their liquor from anyway? Horse blood?! Did she drug him!? He wouldn't put it past a Karayan! This was insane! Why was he drinking this dreck? Before more thoughts of ignorance could slough around in his mind, Borus's eyes close and his head drops on the table. Its clear he's alive, but he's going to have a very rough morning. Geddoe watches Borus pass out from his drink.... hiding his smile. For all his worldly wine ways... good old karayan alcoholic spirits aren't quite the same... are they? Geddoe drains off his glass of spirits and carefully reaches for Borus's mug or whateever.... put it somewhere safe... right? "Looks like this old man can still outdrink him...." he'd had the same thing - yep. Percival laughs, a bit relieved to feel mirth rather than the pessimism he'd started to sink into, and leans back in his chair with another sip of Borus's wine - he'll stick to the mild stuff, thanks. Patrol duty tomorrow will be much happier all around if he /doesn't/ have a headache. "Borus never touches the strong stuff. I guess he really wanted to knock himself out. Not that I blame him." He shakes his head, wryly amused. There are a million sayings about why women are the source of every problem a man has, but Borus has already expressed that well enough for both of them. Geddoe shakes his head, eying the unconscious knight and the still conscious one... "She resembles her mother, I must admit..." He'd been in Zexen for the wedding... had attended... although he thought Wyatt was rather foolish for wanting to settle down... especially THERE in Zexen.... He eyes Borus's drink... anything left...? While he's tempted to leave it... one doesn't waste good karayan spirits... even if it does taste like moonshine to the Zexen palate. "Did you need help carrying him up?" Percival is surprised at first, eyebrows shooting up, before he recalls that Geddoe is the holder of a true rune - or was, more accurately. He's tempted to inquire further. Chris doesn't speak of her family, and there isn't really much to find elsewhere, either in records or the old men sitting around on their pension in Brass Castle. But he refrains. No matter how curious he is, it's up to her to tell him if she wants him to know. "I'm tempted to leave him here. It's what he deserves for drowning himself like that. But..." He shrugs, waving his free hand and finishing off his glass. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have a little help. At your convenience." Geddoe is older than Wyatt, but let's not go there.... apparently someone questioned Sana about his real age and he'd rather it not really get out... He drains off what's left of Borus's alcohol... it's good stuff - silly knight.... not doctored at all... "I'm ready whenever you are," he replies. "Right then." Percival sets his glass on the table and pushes his chair back, patting Borus's shoulder consolingly - and a little too late. "Don't you worry, my friend - we'll take /good/ care of you!" As if Borus can hear him. He's a little too gleeful about this, isn't he? But Percy isn't one to take things seriously when he doesn't have to. That would leave him in a bad mood most of the time, and he's perfectly content to leave that up to his fellow knights. Where he's from, it's believed you enjoy life, and snicker at the rest. Right. He tugs Borus up from the table and pulls one of the knight's arms around his shoulders - it's assumed Geddoe will take the other. "Next time I'm going to tell Anne to give him water instead." Geddoe glances at Percival with a hint of amusement, leaning down to indeed take the other side of Borus. "I would suggest...." Deadbeat... and the most serious expression on his face. "Prune Juice." It does wonders. Percival laughs again, hoisting Borus out of his chair with Geddoe's help, kicking it back to get a little room. He could get to like this one. The man looks serious, and probably intimidating to the average person, but he's got a decent sense of humor. Maybe it's the alcohol. "I'll give that one a try. He'd thank me for it later... much later." Goddess, let Chris keep away from the tavern! The last thing they need right now is for her to decide to come back in. There's a rumbling chuckle from Geddoe. He's serious yes... but he can have a wicked streak of humor to his being... A little bit of maybe who he used to be before time started to numb everything.... "Give it a decade.... or so..." Poor Percival though, he'll probably be mobbed the moment he's seen coming out of the tavern although maybe his presence will scare away most girls. It's a shame he's not interested in any of those women, really. Things would be much easier if that were so, but no, Percival has to like a challenge. It isn't even that, so much as, perhaps... something safe. Chances of Chris returning such a feeling are slim, and it just doesn't seem to bother him as much as it does Borus. "We're out on the ship, so this is going to be a long haul." His friend isn't light, either, but at least he's easy to drag along. And once Borus is taken care of, who knows - maybe they can just amble back here for another drink. It's a better idea than leaving the manor and being mobbed, that's for sure.