Relaxing in the Dark Tavern

[Adam Kohaku]

Pain. The world seemed to be ran upon pain. The people had a dependence to the pain that could be seen everywhere. There were people upon the street with nothing to live for. They could be found in almost every city. The nobles ruled by force, creating destruction with their soldiers and their hunters. Then, there were the wolves.

Living on the streets had taught Adam Kohaku to not trust anyone or any creature. Everyone had his or her own agenda. People did whatever they must to please only themselves. The hunter had found this out early in his life. Humans used and abused their own to gain money, fame, and whatever else they wanted. Wolves did the same, only in a more violent manner.

Throbbing pain held tightly to Adam’s wrist. He had been injured in his last battle with wolves. His wrist had to be set back in place and wrapped tightly. The hunter was a fast healer, at least, and this injury would not put him out of commission. This pain was worth the hassle. That day had ended in two dead wolves and an injured one. Truly, this Kohaku could not complain. He was rewarded for his hard work.

Adam had just came into the city, and he was quite ready to relax. The road had been long and tiresome, and now it was time for him to actually sit back and relax. He did not need to run around this city looking for wolves. The hunt would wait for the morning.

Darkness had taken over the city streets, but Adam did not mind the dark. He had grown up on the night streets. The pathways throughout the city were not strange to him. Such places to him were like home. He knew every secret way the city could hold. He knew all the tricks needed to live such a life.

There was a small bar just off of the road the hunter walked upon. Within a few minutes, Adam had slipped into the tavern and made himself comfortable at the counter. He said a few quiet words to the bartender, and a few seconds later found himself drinking from a beer bottle. A few drinks would help relax his nerves and would dull the ever throbbing pain in his wrist.

Adam kept to himself at the corner of the bar. His twin katanas were still upon his back, but no one seemed to glance his way. Of course, the tall Kohaku was dressed darkly with a black long coat, black pants, and black leather boots. He tried to keep himself low key, and he hoped it would work this night.

[oakumnoble1]

Travelling clothing was not her style. It was not her nature to creep through enemy territory, hiding from soldiers or hunters or anything of the sort.

However, in this rundown little portion of humanity's underbelly, Kangae knew well enough to not draw undue attention to herself, though certain individuals who looked closely enough would get the suspicion that this particular blonde statuette did not belong in this city, much less anywhere under the umbrella of Darcia's territory.

She drifted more than she walked, a byproduct of years of martial training that would let anyone who knew better know better than to attempt something foolish. It seemed like she should have been walking with an entourage of bodyguards.

No.

It seemed like she should have been walking with an army.

Today the woman was dressed in a long trenchcoat and tight naturally colored leathers; the usual dress of a nomadic, and though it fit her well in practice, it did not do so well in theory. She did not remove her hat when she entered the establishment, blonde wisps trailing from beneath it, amber brown eyes peering out from under the brim.

There was an odd aura of peace from the woman who at the same time radiated nothing but sheer warfare as she approached the bartender, giving him a sweet smile.

"Vodka."

Again, the drink of nomads. Nomads and hunters.

[Adam Kohaku]

The door opened and closed, letting in a quick and violent draft. Footsteps upon the floor made their way over to the bar before stopping as a woman sat down at the counter. Adam paid her no attention. He stuck to the beer in front of him, taking a drink and enjoying how the liquid felt going down his throat.

She ordered vodka, and the voice rang through the hunter’s mind. Had he known the woman? There was a familiar tone to that voice. Truly, it was hard telling if he knew her. Adam had been acquainted many women in his handful of years on this world. So many voices went through his head that he could not place. Maybe hers was just like so many others. Familiar yet very distant.

The bartender served the lady her drink of vodka.

Adam downed the rest of his beer before setting the empty bottle upon the counter. The hunter was one to hold his liquor. He had only lived eighteen years so far, yet he had been drinking for what felt like a life time. Alcohol warmed the bones and often he lived off of what alcohol he could steal. He had been much like the old men on the streets. Whatever money they could manage to get, they went off and bought liquor.

“Vodka,” Adam now ordered from the bartender. The man quickly went off and got what the noble requested. If there was one good reason to be a noble, prompt service was that reason. Those who could recognize his face did whatever they could to please the wolf hunter. Adam simply found the behavior flattering and much more convenient.

“There you go, sir,” the bartender said as he poured Adam his drink. The hunter nodded his head slightly before taking yet another drink of alcohol.

[oakumnoble1]

Kangae ignored her barmate, as there was no reason she would know one faceless soldier from another. Perhaps, this would ultimately lead to the woman's downfall, or at the very least an inconvienece, but for the moment, she was unconcerned. She had more important things on her mind.

"So. I am have been hearing about this Emerald lake" she said to the bartender, smiling over the lip of her chipped but otherwise functional glass. "Stories. Legends, even." She left her statement open, hanging - the usual chatter one would start in a bar-room too quiet by someone who was looking for some noise from the bartender.

Unfortunately, despite her light and conversational tone, it let more of her voice be heard by the unnoticed - or at least for the moment disregarded - observer who was also sitting at the bar. Apparently, *his* disguise was working well enough.

She tucked a strand of hair back behind her ear. Every move was almost mechanical; a china doll brought to life.

Like a simulacrum. Or a golem. Or some other... magical thing.

Sadly, despite her ability in tactics, Kangae was unaware of just how much she could give herself away to those who would recognise her for who she was simply by being who she was and what effects had been added to her being during her life. It was a sad truth. Being in disguise was not only just not her style. It was an impossibility. All anyone wold really need, after a long enough period of time, would have been to have seen her before.

Calling commands to an army, the sweep of an arm in a seeming silent command that would lead to the shedding of blood as her Lord's enemies fell like sheaves of wheat, as if that empty hand held a scythe that could reach across nations. A scythe built of men, magic, and loyalty.

Then again, such recognition wouldn't necessarily be the best to point out. This woman *never* travelled alone, and despite her attempt to appear alone, one could imagine soldiers leaping from every available man-sized shadow - or possibly smaller - at a mere word if the observer realized who she was and made the mistake of pointing out as much in an offensive manner.

Of course, such thoughts would be paranoia, but still. Paranoia doesn't necessarily mean they're NOT out to get you.

Her expression radiated friendship and interest at whatever the bartender was about to say in response. It was impossible to know what the woman was about, only that she was a terrible enigma of the Oakum family - that something so peaceful could be so destructive.

Or, perhaps, that's always the way the world worked.

[Adam Kohaku]

Again the woman spoke out to the bartender. Had she truly came in for a casual drink or was she looking for answers? She was asking about Emerald Lake. This girl was definitely not from around here.

The bartender took no surprise in the woman’s words. The bartender was an old man, worn down from years of hard labor and working at the bar. He was the classic bartender. He knew all of the rumors around town and all of the stories travelers came in telling. He was a man who had acted as a shoulder to cry on for many men and women. Street wise and knowledgeable of all legends, he was a man who knew what knowledge he had to just to get by in the world.

“There are many tales about that lake,” the bartender said as he leaned up against the counter, wiping out a mug. “Some people say you can find your true love at that lake. Some say ghosts hover over the brilliant green of the water when the moon is only showing by half. Yet, those are the stories most aren’t too concerned about.”

The bartender set the mug down before picking up another and cleaning the glass as well. “Wolves,” he said to the woman, “are what people are really interested in about that lake. Many have seen what appear to be wolves hovering around the lake. Dead carcasses of deer and rabbits have been discovered in the brush. People even say they hear howling coming from that direction every now and then.”

The barman paused, glancing over at Adam who had been listening in. Why did it not surprise the hunter that the bartender would start talking of wolves? Everyone did that around the Kohaku. They all wanted to her some story about killing wolves. Adam tired of telling the same stories over and over, and often just ignored those who asked him. No one needed to know his business nor did anyone deserve to know.

“Is that really what you came here to hear, stranger?” Adam questioned the girl who had made the bartender to go off on his ramblings. “Did you come here to hear of wolves running around? Or do you have some other agenda?”

[oakumnoble1]

"Wolves?"

The woman turned, meeting the hunter's eyes. The gesture was almost deadly, but her expression was merely curious, perhaps amused.

"And here I was more interested in the stories of finding my true love. Emerald always has been my favorite colour.... perhaps I would get lucky, no?"

Something changed in her expression, but only mildly. It was hard to tell if it was recognition or simply a thoughtful look. "Anyway. Everyone knows wolves are extinct. They have been for over two hundred years."

The sentence almost seemed... baiting.

[Adam Kohaku]

Adam should have known better to even open his mouth and comment on the subject. Now he had to deal with the usual ignorance to wolves. Why would people think such an animal was extinct? They roamed down alleyways right in front of everyone. How many did he have to kill to prove that wolves were still out there and quite alive? Did he have to stuff one and take show the dead animal to people? People were ignorant to what was really going on around them.

“The extinction of wolves is just a myth,” the wolf hunter said before drinking down his vodka. “There is no proof of it. All people have is what a few nobles told the public. Most of the nobles only tell half truths as it is. You can’t really believe what they all say.”

The Kohaku leaned back a bit, his dark blue eyes moving over to truly look at this woman. He knew her from somewhere; he was sure of this. Her voice was familiar and so were her mannerisms. She did not move like the rest of the people around here. She did not move like a simple human woman did.

“Of course, you would know how nobles act, would you not?”

[oakumnoble1]

The woman shrugged. "No more than anyone else truly knows. After all, they normally tend to keep themselves rather mysterious. ... normally."

She raised her still half filled glass in a mock toast. "But really, is this the time and place to discuss such matters? After all, I would suspect we were both here to... relax."

"And even if they do exist - 'big dog' bastards or not, what should it matter to anyone? The stories do not put food on a man's plate or fill their childrens' bellies at night. They are simply that, stories, and whatever truth there lies behind them is covered in, as you so succinctly put it, half truths.. and of course.. alcohol."

She laughed, perhaps to herself. "It's not as if you would really believe the stories they tell about them anyway. Who could?"

Her very words mocked the slow recognition that would likely be dawning, ever brighter. She met his eyes again, blinking slowly, this time assessing him as a predator would examine their prey.

"Besides. All anyone wants to do is kill them when they find them. Tell me, neighbor", she says, her accent on the word 'neighbor' apparent, "How much more death does this world need in the persuit of fairy tales anyway?"

[Adam Kohaku]

“Death is what puts food in your belly,” Adam commented as the bartender poured him another shot of vodka. “It puts money in your pocket and makes the dear lords and ladies smile down upon you.”

The tavern seemed to have become still and quiet as if every ear was in on their conversation. Nosy drunkards who had nothing better to do sat at the edge of their seat. The interest annoyed the Kohaku, and he wished very much so that the patrons would get back to their large mugs of beer. They had no business in the two’s conversation.

“Finding and killing a wolf is said to gain you a lot of money if you know the right people,” the bartender said softly to the woman. “You would be surprised at how much a wolf’s head can gain you. Nobles pay small fortunes to those who are willing to hunt down the beasts and kill them.”

The bartender moved away, going down the counter to busy himself with wiping up a beer spill. The wolf hunter’s eyes followed the man with slight annoyance, but soon his gaze moved away from the barman. The bartender should not have said anything to this woman about wolf hunting. The man was just spelling out Adam’s name to this traveling stranger.

“The nobles have always had a strong interest in war and death,” the hunter said only loud enough for the woman to hear. “I think you know this quite well. You are one of them.”

[oakumnoble1]

He leaned in to speak his quiet proclamation; she smelt of wildflowers, some faraway scent unknown of in this dirty world. From under the brim of her hat, her lips curled into a soft, benign smile.

"Leave it to tis world to judge all things by blood."

She lifted her glass to her lips again, but did not drink. "Realize the danger of your words. Regardless of where we are, know this - I am not powerless, and I am not alone. I will ask - how much blood need be spilled to prove *this* point?"

There was little malice in her tone. Perhaps it was resignation. "I will have no remorse in laying eveything around me to waste if need be in the execution of my duty. I was hoping that tonight I would be off such duties. Should I change my plans? Your words are soft - but are they soft enough? Can I take this chance? Your betray yourself with your own knowledge, and this can only mean one very dangerous thing for both of us. It could very easily ruin your plans to relax and drink this evening."

She leaned back again and added quietly, "I would only be doing my duty, and at the moment, it would mean little else."

[Adam Kohaku]

Adam gave a laugh, sitting back a bit. Her words did not scare him. No words really did make him afraid. Words meant nothing; threats were all in the actions. She had no intentions of acting upon her words unless provoked, and Adam was in no mood to deal with a battle with one of Oakum’s tonight. He was trying to relax, goddamn it, and he was going to.

“I have no intentions of starting anything with you tonight,” the hunter said to the noble. “I have no use in egging on a fight with you. My bounty is not based upon that pretty head of yours. My money is made by hunting down beasts.”

The Kohaku hit back another shot of vodka. In all honestly, Adam cared nothing about noble affairs. Darcia and Oakum could fight all they wanted to. He didn’t care. As long as he could make money that was what was important. Without money, he had to resort to his old street life of being a common thief.

“So, just relax and kick back a few shots. There is no reason to destroy this tavern. No one has caused any trouble. This place is made for travelers to relax and get wasted.”

So, Adam was being kind. Perhaps in this situation it was better to be friendly instead of hostile. The wolf hunter knew his strength, and at the moment he was not wanting to use his bad wrist in a fight with this female noble.

[oakumnoble1]

The woman smiled - for all intents and purposes it appeared genuine.

"Good! And to think one wouldn't find manners or wisdom these days. There is indeed a time and place for all things, and this is neither for anything more than what we are already busy with."

"So, what sort of small-talk do the likes of us actually engage in, hm? Save asking - how's business?"

She took another drink from her own glass, staring into the bottom as if answering her own question in her thoughts in regards with how it applied to herself. She then emptied it and set it on the bartop to be refilled.

The lack of fear or concern from either of them was eerie - as if somehow this place was enough of a neutral ground to throw away generations of animosity. Or it simply could have been she was from the family who did not exactly serve Lord Oakum out of any sort of loyalty. What did they follow him for, actually, was anyone's guess.

[Adam Kohaku]

The wolf hunter motioned the bartender over for another round of drinks. The barman served the two another round of vodka before moving back down the counter to other patrons. Adam had needed a sit down at the bar desperately. He did not care who made him company on this night. He did not care if it was one of Darcia’s servants or one of Oakum’s; the hunter just wanted to relax for an hour or so.

“I’ve been killing wolves left and right, ” Adam said, drinking down his glass of vodka as if he had been lost in a desert and the drink was his water. “I get paid quite a bit for my services. The work may be bloody and frowned upon, but we all do what we must to survive. You, yourself, should know that very well. ”

How many had he bloody his hands with? Adam was unsure of the number. He had no haunting dreams of killing the beasts. He was a hunter; he hunted his prey and was successful.

“I would hope that you believe in wolves. So many people don’t, but the animals do exist. I could even show you. The wolves tend to run freely at night under the cover of darkness. Hell, we could probably go out to Emerald Lake right now, and there would be wolves running about. ”

[oakumnoble1]

"You think?" She picked up her glass and took a drink. "And yes, I know well enough to know fact from fiction. Excuse my urge to jest.." She waved her hand vaugely.

"However, I am not sure if it would be the safest move for either of us to leave for there tonight, do you? After all, we have only just met, andh ave no reason to trust eachother. Less than no reason." She shrugged on the notion, however, as if she herself didn't care one way or another.

It was just two people, conducting some twisted mix of business and pleasure.

((my apologies. RL fucking EXPLODED.))

[Adam Kohaku]

“We may have just met, but what’s the difference?” Adam questioned. “We don’t trust each other; this fact only puts me one edge, nothing more. Out around the lake, I would already be on edge. Wolves tend not to play around when you anger them.”

Trust? Now, that was something to laugh about. Who did the hunter trust? Mainly himself. He did have some trust in his street inherited siblings, Kaine and Lina. They were the only ones worthy of his trust. This little blonde doll could never win over Adam’s trust as far as he could see. She was a noble, and one of Oakum’s at that.

Another round of vodka. How much could the wolf hunter stand? He did not really care. The throbbing pain his wrist was completely dull and almost nonexistent. The Kohaku knew he would pay for the amount of alcohol he was consuming in the morning. For now, he could enjoy his night.

“You know, the lake is very beautiful this time of night and this phase of the moon. It’s a nice place to be alone with any sort of damsel. I could take you out there, free of charge.”

Adam gave a doggish smile and a wink before giving a snort of laughter.