open

[inkindled]

WHO: Matthias, Nikos, Salvio (tbd if Doki, Val, and Darras will get open stuff. how did I get all of these characters) + YOU
WHAT: just open stuff, man
WHEN: NOW
WHERE: various
NOTES: tiny bit of self-harm but it's so small and it gets fixed so fast

Comments

[exsecutus]

[Nikos snorts, and turns somewhat unsteadily back toward the bar.]

It was an observation. I wouldn't flatter myself.

[He swallows half his cup of wine, and at the question, gestures to the tavern around them. What does he do in Riftwatch? This. The gesture is contained to the bar, and the area around it. Purposefully does not encompass the tables, the pamphlets tucked away to be discovered later.]

[thereneverwas]

[The witty comeback dies on Barrow's lips when he sees how Nikos wobbles. He... drinks? For Riftwatch?

Perhaps this is less funny than he thought.]

...everything all right, mate?

[He knows before he even says it that the 'mate' will be thrown back at him, but it's an impulse he can't help.]

[exsecutus]

Fucking fine, [he says, with venom,] mate.

[Annoyed, Nikos hunches over the bar again, and finishes off the last of his wine. He pushes the cup to the other side and flags down the barkeep for a refill.]

What do you do for Riftwatch?

[thereneverwas]

[There it is. No one can ever just let him call them mate.]

Dumb muscle mostly. [Barrow glances to Nikos' cup as he has it refilled again for the second time since they've been up here, which... hasn't been long.]

And I train the new blood. Heavy weapons for most, but also teaching a few mages to fight without magic.

[He remembers something.]

Think I saw your brother there once.

[exsecutus]

Kostos is the mage. Don't teach him too well. Fighting without magic is all I have on him.

[He takes another mouthful of wine.]

Never bothered with heavy weapons. Don't know why.

[thereneverwas]

One mage, one not?

[Things are starting to come together, even if they don't quite make sense yet.]

That must've been hard on the family.

[exsecutus]

[He snorts.]

Please. We're Nevarran. We love mages.

[thereneverwas]

Oh, well that's good.

[Barrow sips pleasantly at his ale.]

You seem like you love a lot of things.

[exsecutus]

I do. [THANKS.] Just because I don't wear a fucking badge on my chest for every one of the things that I love doesn't mean I don't.

[What a stupid sentence. Nikos scowls into his wine.]

Don't speculate.

[thereneverwas]

[Barrow can't help but grin. Maker's breath, this person.]

I'm not!

[exsecutus]

Just grinning like an idiot for no reason?

[He raises his eyebrows at Barrow, mocking.]

What do you love?

[thereneverwas]

People who don't hide their feelings.

[It's true enough.]

... and ale.

[He pauses.]

And tits.

[exsecutus]

[ew, or--]

Fine, overrated, overrated.

[thereneverwas]

Really? Pity.

[He doesn't seem that bothered.]

More for me, then.

[exsecutus]

[Sure, says the gesture Nikos does with his cup, welcome to it.]

Probably should be in a different tavern.

[thereneverwas]

[It takes Barrow a moment to realize what he means, but then he does so with a start.]

What!

[He looks around.]

Really?

[exsecutus]

Not a lot of tits.

[He takes another mouthful of wine, which prompts the follow-up:]

Or ale.

[thereneverwas]

Well, I have what I need.

[He raises his cup, which decidedly contains ale.]

You're right about the tits though.

[exsecutus]

I hope you can survive the drought.