One Night In Tolbana

    Walking into the bar is one dark scaled Salamander with fiery gold, draconic eyes. This salamander is Xander Scaleharth, one of the members of the Aincrad Liberation Front.

As he walks in, he doesn't have any armor on, but rath a dark gray tunic, with dark brown leather pants, riding boots, and a sword on his hip. He makes his way to the bar, before resting his arms on the counter.

He doesn't even look at the menu, he just says simply to the barkeep with a distant sound to his voice. "Bottle of whiskey and a glass. I'll pour it myself."

"When you said you'd be by sooner than later you weren't kidding." Must be a quiet night on the adventuring front as Vertina is minding the bar herself, and after a brief trip down into the cellar returns with the bottle and sets it in front of Xander. Retrieves glass and places it next to bottle. "You look like someone that's got something on their mind."

    "I normally have /many/ things on my mind." Xander says up front to Vertina, "Though if someone manages to show up, you may need a second glass. Promised I'd share this bottle with them if they did." The Salamander admits.

He then goes to open the bottle and pours some in the glass, before closing it back up. "Haven't slept well. Got told some information I am not thrilled to hear. There is a war happening in Ninetails Dominion. Got a pvp group playing games. Possible ant issues down in Weste..." Xander looks directly at Vertina, "And we got this whole tower issue, on top of our own personal demons."

He then takes a quick swig of the whiskey, closing his eyes for a moment. "... Man its been awhile since I've had this. Nearly ten years... Good stuff." The salamander says with a soft chuckle.

It isn't long after that Rylen makes his way into the Dragon's Larder. He had been spending the last few days in the Isle of Beginnings, since there were meetings to be hand between certain parties within the Alliances as well as Landers. He walks in, wearing his usual traveling gear, made up of a sleeveless vest which is covered by a traveling jacket which hangs down along his sides.

"Alas, m'lady, that is the general state of the Salamander known as Xander Scaleharth. Always thinking, sometimes more than he should." The Beastmaster chuckles as he steps forward, inclining his head, "I wouldn't want to keep you waiting." He teases.

Then, he adds, "Yes, yes, the troubles of the world. Yet, there are still reasons to celebrate." He looks to the two, then raises his brows, "Two guesses what today is, hmm?"

"I haven't heard any more of the ants other than the one time we fought them off," Vertina replies. "But that doesn't mean they're not still out there. They're ants. Didn't see anything to resemble a queen at that swarm that would of denoted the whole hive was done."

She smirks a little at Rylen's comment and greeting. "Yeah. Some people have that problem... Probably a lot more these days. That's why we built a place to properly unwind. Or stare thoughtfully into your drink if you're the sort." A second glass as suggested is retrieved and provided for Rylen.

    Xander peers over as Rylen walks in with one eye closed. He watches the elf-like man, before he goes to reach for his glass and takes another quick swig. "Something I should know, but don't know, cause my Americanism sometimes overrides my Japanisim?"

Once Vertina gets the glass, Xander pours some of that whiskey for Rylen as well, before refilling his own glass while he is at it. The Salamander does look at her, "I just think too much. For awhile, it was all I could do. Was introduced to VRMMOs, then there was more thinking on how I could be the very best-- and when I was playing... More thinking."

He chuckles, then picks up the glass looking at it. "Younger self would be very unpleased by older self." Then takes another swig.

"No. I promise I wouldn't quiz you on obscure Japanese holidays." Rylen accepts the glass that is offered out, holding it to accept his alloted pour. He takes a sip, just enough to raise his eyebrows, "Definitely going to stick to one tonight. Besides, I have Moko available of he needs to act as chocobo taxi service for drunken Salamanders."

Turning to Vertina, he asks, "I haven't heard much about the insect issue. Care to fill me in on what is known about it? The more intel I can pass along, the better informed the new players are in Crescent Moon."

Then, he gives a smirk towards Xander, "Ahh, but your older self is a fine specimen of a lizard-man. Which is something I think your younger self couldn't have ever hoped to be." Rylen grins then, "My younger self would have looked at this and wondered what in the world my sister had in mind." Since he does look a bit like a bishonen anime fantasy. "Though, I am starting to like the long hair. Might have to grow mine out in the real world. Cause some of the older generation to shake their heads in my direction more than they already do."

Vertina chuckles a bit more. "That's probably true for any of our younger selves. Growing up never turns out as you expect it too. But I don't think yours would be too disappointed, other than the overthinking."

She leans forward on the bar on one arm. "The ants? They seemed to mainly be hunters and raiders. While we were fighting the main force they had members tunneling into the village storage buildings. But.. that is just an advancement of how normal ants act? So don't know how 'advanced' they are." She shrugs a shoulder. "Hopefully not like the undead are better than average."

    "Undead are a royal pain in the fucking ass." Xander rumbles out, though looks over at Rylen as he says only having 'one' "You brought your taxi along and you are only going to have one? That worried I'll do something stupid, huh?"

The Salamander then goes to take another swig. "My younger self thought, but life was... good. Really good. Then thing went south. Life went south. Though a few friends remained, most went back to the states, so ended up alone."

Xander shrugs softly. "Got use to being alone, but wasn't good on the ol' head," He taps his head softly. "Thankfully, made friends in the virtual world. Like this one, and yeah. It was better when I was online, but unplugging..."

    He chuckles a little looking at the glass. "It is like this drink really. An escape. An escape to not face the truth, because to stare yourself in the mirror and realize how worthless your life has become. The sad look on people's faces. Seeing you less than you were. It is..." He narrows his eyes. "Sickening." Then he downs the glass hard. "Fff. This stuff is great though!"

Xander realizes after he says all that he looks over to Rylen, "Also now have this sorry guy," He jabs his thumb at Rylen. "Feel for him. He gets to deal with my scaled ass when I have my moments." he pours yet again. "He is either lucky, stupid, or both." He then points at Rylen, "So /what/ is so special about today?" Sip.

"Well, the undead are pretty advanced, all things considered." Rylen replies, nodding as he takes in more information about the insects and their strange behavior. "I would hate to have to be fending off two intelligent armies from both sides of the world at the same time." Sometimes, it felt quite difficult just to keep the enemies in Ninetails at bay, though if this world is meant to be a challenge, it may only be a matter of time before more threats come out of the woodwork.

As Xander seems to figure out his master plan, Rylen just chuckles, "Not so much stupid, but you do seem to be in one of those moods to enjoy yourself. It would be a terrible shame for me to get in the way of that. However." He raises a hand, "I do intend to make sure you sleep somewhere safe tonight." His silver eyes look to the Salamander, then his brows raise.

He reaches over and gives the Salamander male a poke to the shoulder, "And now you're over thinking having a few drinks. Fuck fairweather friends." Rylen usually doesn't curse, but he has had his fair share of people who didn't stick around when times got hard.

"As for why today is special, well." He grins, "Today just happens to be the day that a very certain quite attractive gentleman was born into the world. Here's to one more year!" Of course, he's assuming time flows like the real world, but why not celebrate, regardless.

Vertina snorts softly as she flicks some stray bangs away from her face. "Xander, I spent several months lying in a bed while they were rebuilding my legs, and everyone else looking on with pity when I only cared about getting to the next stage in getting back on my feet. So while maybe not the same situation, I know exactly what 'less than you were' you mean. And that's a hole in the back of my mind I've worked hard to not let my thoughts sink into."

She turns to pick up a glass of juice from the back counter, because she's not going to actually drink while working. That's bad form. "The meditation I learned while taking martial arts did help with that. Still does. I may be a hot head but I still like to keep my thoughts in some order so I don't make a big blunder in a fight."

A thumb is jabbed towards Rylen with her free hand. "He's got a much more pleasant topic to talk about though!"

    Xander peers over at Rylen, maybe it was the whiskey, or maybe his fatigue was trying to take hold, but he kinda mms softly at most stuff. At least till the part about someone becoming a year old. "Why are you /not/ having more than one glass again? Oh no, buddy, you are now officially," He goes to pour Rylen another glass. "Getting drunk."

The Salamander then looks over to Vertina, "At least you got to walk again, so another round to that too. Walking and finding peace with yourself. Things I can't do, but hey! We got a birthday man and may as well, I agree, be cheery!" Then he downs another glass. Oh boy...

And here in the same room, we have one person who lost the use of their legs, another who almost did and went through severe surgeries, and ... Rylen. Well, he lost a career and had to go through a year of reconstructive surgery, so that's something, even if it pales in comparison. "I know that feeling." He inclines his glass to Vertina. "Being pieced back together physically doesn't mean much if you're still in pieces up here." He taps the side of his head.

Luckily, Rylen is easily drawn back into good cheer, though. He laughs, "Luckily, Moko knows the way home even if I am completely drunk off my elven ass." He accepts the top up of his drink, though he does seem to be taking his time with it.

"One day, I will drag from you what your birthday is, as well. You just wait." He expects that will be a hard fought battle with Xander. Though, his curiosity gets the better of him as he looks to Vertina, "If I might ask, what form of martial arts did you study? I've seen you fight, it's certainly impressive."

"I'm not drinking on the job." Though after a momentary pause Vertina whistles to call over one of the other staff. "But I can call in a substitute barkeeper so I can join you." She gives the woman a pat on the shoulder, grabs a bottle off the back shelf, and hops over the bar to join the two on the customer side. "A lot of the Ezzo refugees and even some Adventurers now lacking their 'home' kingdom," a nod to the girl she called over, "have been looking for work outside the fighting monsters and delving dungeons, so getting myself some additional staff wasn't difficult."

The spry Salamander plops herself down on a stool. "Taekwondo mainly. Make use of my leg strength for kicking more than footballs." Pause. "The soccer kind," she adds so Xander doesn't get confused. "But I dabbled in a karate and a few others. Just to round things out, have things an opponent in a match wouldn't immeadiately expect. Just that bit of a surprise can be enough to turn a situation around."

    "I know the difference of football and /football/. I may be part 'Merican, but I am also part Japanese." The dark scaled Salamander explains, taking another swig from his glass.

"Mm... And Rylen is right. I got a /ton/ wrong up here." Xander nods his head. "My head is all kinds of scrambled. Had to work hard to get my speech back, dexterity... one thing I could never get back was my legs, but heeeey! Who needs that when this /world/ provides!" Then he finishes that glass.

Though he peers at Rylen and leans over with a sassy smile. "You. Will. Never. Know. Besides~!" He says with a chuckle. "It has already passed... Not sure if I knew you or not when it did." He hrms. "Time is... kinda blurring together." At least he hasn't poured him another glass yet.

"Honestly, it's good to see." Rylen refers to the Vertina's comment about employing people at the bar. "That's part of what I do at the Peko Ranch, for people in Crescent Moon. Lots of roles there for people who don't exactly want to go out and kill monsters." He inclines his head to the new bartender, then continues to sip at his drink.

"I trained in Hung Gar when I was a teenager. Mostly as self-defense to start with, but later on I used it a lot as an outlet to get away from the stress of competition." Rylen explains, nodding with respect in regards to Vertina's views about incorporating other techniques. "It's a wise way of adapting into the game."

As for Xander, he smirks, "Scrambled brain and all, I still like you, regardless." Rylen isn't the sort to abandon someone just because of a disability, despite his Japanese upbringing. "And I will figure it out, sooner or later. Besides, I already have hints." He waggles a finger at the male Salamander, "And I intend to be around for your next birthday. And the ones after that."

Vertina nods a bit at Xander's reaccount while she's working the stopper off her own bottle. "I was fortunate it was only my legs that got mashed up, no denying that. I've always been too stubborn to give up easily though." She gets it uncorked, and takes a good swig straight from the bottle. Then laughs. "Considering I've never been much of a 'girl' girl most people would probably say my head was already a little jumbled."

A shift on her seat to lean on the bartop on one elbow, tail draping lazily behind her in the other direction. "It's true, we're no longer limited in this world by what happened. I'm not really worried about going back myself. But there are people who do want to, or like the Doctor that have an important job to return to. They shouldn't have to be stuck here with us crazy people if they don't want to be." She pauses for another drink. "Ideally those of us that want to stay here will be able to... but that's a future matter, to be dealt with in the future. I much rather live in the here and now!"

    Xander listens to the conversations, he takes another swig of his drink. Moving to at last finish off the glass. "Yes, love my scruffy, stupid, army boy brain for a jar." He chuckles a little. "Sadly on the martial arts department, was only trained how to kill. Self defense comes in that too, but its moves and things to make sure you get the upper hand and the other guy, well, is dead on the floor."

The Salamander peers at the bottle, seeming to be debating if he should have more or just, well, save it for later. His jaw slides a little in thought.

"However, given the pvpers and gankers still roaming, it should be good for everyone to know how to defend themselves at least. Even if they /don't/ want to fight." The Salamander does a deep inhale, as he rubs the bridge of his nose. "There should be no excuses to /not/ learn really."

    Xander then looks at Vertina, "As for getting out? Hee. I have no idea /what/ I want anymore. Rylen's made it hard. At one point... I did, then, when I realized I could run, jump, and other things... I didn't-- but people I knew did. Yet I am fairly sure if we /do/ get out, everyone is going to get yanked out too." He rolls his shoulders to pop his back a bit. "Its a strange situation with no good answer. Never will be. Damn if you do. Damn if you don't. So, we are all just damned together."

"Better than being damned alone!" Vertina pushes a foot against the bar to turn herself around the stool she's sitting on, since ones that swivel on their own are a bit beyond the basic craftmanship that's affordable at this point. "Like I said, it's a problem that I'll worry about when the time comes. I rather live in the here and now, and yeah, enjoy doing the things I can't do in the real world any more."

    Xander hrms softly to what Vertina says. Though he may be a little bit under the effects of the whiskey, the gears are still turning well in that head of his. "Yeah. I can't argue you that." He smirks faintly, "... Fuck the old world right? Live for today?" He smiles and looks up. "Yeah..."

Though as he looks down at the cup, his head tilts a little, as if a coloration about it catches his eye or seeing something that isn't there. He closes his eye for a moment and inhales deeply. Then taps on the bar a bit with his index fingers. "Anyways, thank you for the drink, Vertina, and the bottle. How much I owe you, lady?"

Before Vertina can say anything the substitute bartender ahems softly. "Right, settle it with the barkeep on duty." Vertina chuckles a bit. Then points a finger at the girl. "There is a birthday discount though, and since he's the birthday boy's.... close companion, apply it for him too." She's not going to make any wild guesses on -how- close, but by the way the two were talking it's close enough. Then finishes off her own bottle. Gives Xander a slap on the shoulder. "Try not to let the shadows of your mind get to you too much Xander... and remember you have folks to turn to when they do. Plus he's suppose to be getting you home!"

The empty bottle is slid over to the barmaid. "I'm going to check the brewery shift. See you guys later."

    Xander grins at the smack on the shoulder and hrms, but after a minor chew on the lip by a thought and a click of the tongue, he finds out how much it is from the one 'working'.

He lays down the coins and picks up the bottle. He looks over to Rylen and gives him a grin. "I'll see you outside so we can get a ride back to the farm. I /doubt/ I could get your bird to leave you here with these lovelies!"

Then he goes to make his way out while singing, "Cause I'm still standing! Better than I ever been! Looking like a true survivor! Feeling like a little kid!"