Mystery Drink [Adell | RRP]

Though he was no frequenter of taverns -- nowhere near in the same way Maeve was in earlier years -- he could usually tell what type of patron he was about to enter conversation with. There were the ones that were already so far-gone he couldn't exactly consider it conversation -- to which end he usually relocated himself. Then there were the angry or just sorrowful guys who sought to drown the sorrows, and the young ladies who often sought attention -- which he willingly gave. The most common type of patron though was just Average Joe, a guy out for a drink and some company. He sort of fell under that category himself, though even Average Joe was more of a frequent visitor than he was. Despite the many categories he had already mentally listed, his current companion fell under none of these; he in fact seemed to be even more green than Fayn himself. Hell, he greeted with a 'Good evening' -- that was possibly the greenest introduction on could give in a bar. It almost screamed "Hey everybody, I'm kinda new at this!" ...That or he was just shy or socially awkward.

Fayn turned with a smile to his companion, idly taking in his appearance. He looked young, probably mid-twenties or so. He had with him a sword, which caused Fayn to cock an eyebrow. Well then, guard off duty perhaps? Or on duty, even? He idly hoped the frosh didn't get totally hammered and get involved in a barfight; those were somewhat common, and a man with a sword was certainly not welcome in such an event. Still, he didn't really seem like the irresponsible type -- unlike himself; intentionally going when he knew he wouldn't last the hour. He nodded kindly to his companion. "Evenin' to you too, friend." he said warmly, lifting his glass in greeting before taking another sip. "Can't say I've seen you 'round here before. You new?" ...He knew the answer of course, but hell, it was what you asked people when you were in a tavern. You didn't generally discuss things like politics or weather, or at least he didn't find so in his experience. It was either about the drinking itself, the woes that caused one to visit the tavern, or the ladies that every so often caught your eye gave a coy smile. He didn't exactly have any woes except sore feet, and now that he was close to getting married he was trying his darnedest not to talk about other girls. So that left drinking.

He was sort of curious about the sword though, but that wasn't something he planned to ask, not just yet at least. It was too early for that; you didn't start talking about yourselves until after you had a drink or two. He just hoped that this...mystery green poison wouldn't take effect that quickly. He did feel a bit bad though, the other fellow had asked to have what he was having and....well he didn't really know what exactly that was. Oh yeah, sure, he talked it up just a moment ago like he came to this place often...but really he was only a slightly paler shade of green than....that guy. He really should have asked his name. But alas, he already asked a question and to do so now would be...slightly awkward. Not that it particularly mattered; he probably wouldn't see the lad after this night. Which probably would be better for them both...

Well, now having heard more than a few words out of the lad, it was pretty clear just what kind of...acquaintance he was dealing with. He at least was still decently understood; his better half had come from those parts too, and she had the heaviest accent he'd ever heard. It took him the longest time to fully comprehend what she was saying -- now he sometimes replicated her slang and attempted the accent when the two of them wanted to mess around with locals or tavern-goers or just...anyone, really. So, not everyone from Heim had that brash, fierce personality, then.

He almost chuckled when his companion reached out his hand for a shake. So, he wasn't just a little new to this experience, he really didn't know the first thing about social etiquette. ...Here, in this setting, anyway. He seemed very formal, which would be good for a...classy kind of setting he supposed, but such gestures painted targets on his head. With the Polite Nice Guy attitude, it was almost like asking for people to take advantage of that behaviour. It was probably how he was taught to speak, though, so he couldn't exactly blame him in any way either. He reached out his own hand and gave it a firm, though friendly, shake. "Fayn Thenadir. Glad to make your acquaintance." he said heartily, resting his arm on the table.

He let the taste of the drink sink in as another sip was taken, and this time a slight anxious shock tickled up his spine. He recognized this taste, definitely; it was the drink he had when he bought Maeve and himself a drink for the first time. Damn was he out of it after that. He quickly looked at the beverage and was glad to see he didn't ingest too much of it yet, not like that first time. Downing the whole thing....no he learned that lesson the hard way. Careful steps then, I don't want to inconvenience the greenie here... he thought, setting the drink down again.

He tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table as Adell spoke again, and Fayn shook his head. Well, it wasn't like he would know...being recent out of Heim and all. Most people around knew who Fayn was though; either he was the guy with extremely strange style, the guy who got drunk really easily or the bard who came by to perform. Today it was a mixture of the latter two with the first being sort of an unspoken truth that no one even bothered mentioning any more if only because of how blatantly obvious it was, even to him. Not that he cared -- it got attention, right?

"Actually no. I'm here...well not here in the tavern exactly but here in Asgard...on business. Performing and whatnot; Asgard's a great venue. But, I play here often so I know enough. If you're wondering anything I might be of some help. Looking for someplace in particular or...someone, perhaps?"

A moment of awkward seemed to settle over the chatting pair in that moment. Adell spoke, but unlike before he avoided eye contact when the words came forth. It didn't take a genius, or a hundred-seventy-some year old, to know he was hiding something. Not really lying, but hiding; he did admit there was something, just...in the way that a child tended to try to make themselves look innocent when they were caught doing something wrong. He had to wonder why that was, though...it wasn't as though looking for something was wrong, unless it was for some criminal purpose. But with Adell's seeming inability to hide truths from his face, it was almost a certainty that Fayn would have caught onto something like that.

Secrets were perfectly allowable, though, so he didn't want to pry. ...That and the drink was starting to make his stomach flip and twirl inside his body, even as his brain started ringing just the littlest bit. He set the green liquid down carefully, deciding now was a good time to take a quick break from the stuff. Instead, he waited for Adell to continue, sensing there was more he wanted to say. Patience was something he slowly managed to develop (though certainly not master) and, as was often said, it paid off. It was hard to keep a straight face though, with that answer. Definitely not what he was expecting to follow up that first statement, but he supposed it did explain the awkward sense.

He couldn't really....control it. Laughing, Fayn reached out and clapped his companion on the shoulder. "Well....I'd better be receptive of a...what'd you call yourself, Heimite? Yeah....I don't have much choice. I mean...well I ma.....de good friends with one, after all." He almost said it, he almost spilled the one thing Maeve would never let him tell anyone. It seemed that the charming tipsy state he was getting into really wanted to loosen up that tongue of his....but hell he wasn't that stupid. Even so, he did still laugh to himself....it was hilarious that the lad was all worried about not being well received because he was Heimian...no, that was Heimite....and here he managed to get lucky enough to chat up the hubby of one of them.

He did manage to straighten up a bit though, lending a genuine smile of kindness. "Don't worry about that, you seem like an all right guy. Certainly a good bit better than a lot of folk I've met in Illusia." He shrugged dismissively. Really, he had a point about the whole thing but...Fayn wasn't really one to hold grudges. "Might be best to keep that stuff quiet though, at least around the...." he nodded his head towards some of the wilder looking patrons. They had clearly had something strong, or at least been drinking the whole evening up till now. Chances were there would be a couple of "Angry Drunks" among them who wouldn't take kindly to a Heimite. "...Most are wary, but won't bug you...some are pretty accepting, you know, like me.but then some....you know, not everyone can be nice. Way I see it, though, it wasn't you personally who invaded, so I have no reason to dislike you."

Eh, he tried....it sort of came out a bit more awkwardly than he had hoped. It was just how it worked though, a lot of people were just....not going to let that go, no matter what. 'Course he didn't mind, of course he sort of...had not choice but even if he wasn't married to a woman from Heim he wouldn't care. He liked to try to make things better, and holding grudges just didn't do that. He tried to manage a reassuring smile in hopes of keeping the conversational tone up, but...well Adell had sort of brought one of the....less-desirable topics up. Ah well, he could deal.

The threat of violence counters the need for violence. Was that what he thought? Fayn regarded him curiously while tracing finger-circles on the wood of the table. Perhaps his companion was not as young-minded as he first appeared to be. Most newbies simply stayed quiet to avoid fights, which....yeah, usually worked...but it certainly wasn't a lie, what Adell said. Even among the lesser animals it was true; he who barked the loudest often scared the other away. Make yourself big and scary looking...and suddenly the brute two tables away doesn't want to fight you any more. This Adell, he had guts if nothing else.

Fayn shrugged at the lad's apology, taking a small sip from the drink. Oh, yeah....Absinthe was not something to take lightly. Setting down the glass once more, he trained his eyes onto the other. It was a sound apology, though not a necessary one. He wasn't annoyed or anything. Perhaps it was just out of courtesy, but still, Fayn had to wave him off dismissively. "Nah. It's nothing, I don't mind. It's still conversation after all." ...Now had Adell gone on to speak poorly of those who disliked the Heimites, he would have had a bit of a problem. They had right enough to be bothered, even if he himself wasn't.

A bright smile lit the redhead's features, a slight sparkle shimmering in his eye when Adell questioned his profession. Now, that was something he was more than happy to share. He reached down, grasping at a leather case that was leaning against his stool, on the side opposite his drinking partner. The clasps made a slight click as he popped them open, lifting the lid away to reveal his prized ukulele. "Well, I am merely a...humble bard." he said, getting to his feet and bowing a little. "A few performances here and there, a little gold for my troubles...it's certainly not the high-class life, but so long as I'm getting paid for my passions...I'd say I'm happy right where I am." He leaned back against the table, putting a foot up on the stool as he started to quietly play. It wasn't a song exactly, just...idle strumming, a bit of music to emphasize his point. It felt nice, being able to so easily create a lovely sound, with just a simple action.

"As you may have guessed though I'm...more of a visually-reliant bard. I like my performances to be more than just the music, I like giving my audience something to look at, something to interact with. So that's what all..." briefly he stopped his strumming, gesturing to his hair, his clothes. ...this is about. I try to involve my audience as much as I can." He scratched his head, chuckling awkwardly. "Guess I was rambling a bit, there, sorry." He once again began his quiet tune, now seating himself again. "So, you know my profession....it's only natural I ask, then, what is it you do? Does it have anything to do with your reasons for coming into Illusia?"