Raise a Glass [OPEN]

[lordshield]

Who: The XV Cast and You!
When: June 6th
Where: Curti Center, Jiminy's Juicery (bar)
What: After saving innocents from the Dream Width, some people just need a drink.
Warnings/Notes: Alcohol consumption, possible violence, whatever people do in bars.

Their first foray into the search and rescue business in the Dream Width had been intense, to say the least. Stressful, heartbreaking, exhausting, and enlightening were other words some might use to describe the experience. After a night of rest and a day to somewhat sort things and people out, the next evening brings about a mighty need to head to the local tavern. Some drink to forget, some drink to remember, some drink to relax. There are even representatives of the Bard's Guild providing live music. You can try to make a request, but chances are they don't know your foreign songs.

Maybe you were invited by one of the excitable young men from Lucis, or maybe you came on your own. There's enough room in the bar for quite a few people, so long as they're of age. Sit right at the bar, or pull up chairs around a table, the choice is yours.

[OoC: Make your own toplevel or tag around. Please put content warnings as necessary. Have fun!]

Comments

[immortalmarshal]

A - Stone-cold sober

Cor sure as hell needs a drink or three after the past day or two. But he doesn't immediately reach for the alcohol. No, not with everyone else being here and clearly drowning their sorrows, or smiles, in various drinks. Instead, he starts off sitting at a corner table, water in his glass and a full plate of food before him. He's observing everyone, only stepping in if some idiot starts reaching for something other than fists and words for a fight.

But he's not adverse if someone approaches him mid-sip of his water. "...yeah? What is it?"


B - Strong Enough to Peel Paint

Some time later, though, he finally gives in and have one drink. Or so he tells himself that it would only be one. But judging from the smell, one would be forgiven to mistake it for paint thinner. But Cor's sipping on it like it hardly effects him. The most it's done is actually make him open up a bit more to strangers and familiar faces alike.

Including a certain cosplaying Moogle. "Relax, Tommy, I'm not even buzzed. This is actually good."

"But, but...how can you drink that and not be--oh, what's the term...sloshed?"


C - Buzzed and...mmmmellow?

Late in the evening, Cor's nowhere as stoic as he normally is. He's not black-out drunk, but he's certainly had enough to show his emotions more openly. Happy subjects? He actually smiles around strangers, and jokes more easily. Sad subjects? He'll give a shoulder patt, or a one-arm hug.

Unless, of course, you've come across him when he's scowling and has a clenched fist on the bar counter. "You wanna repeat that, asshole?" he growls at the other person he was just talking to.

B

[regisrex]

On the upside, Regis actually isn't buzzed. He's just. Friendly. And he doesn't drape himself around the taller man.

Not quite, at any rate.

"So. Call it my curiosity. But after some parts of that trip, once you were properly allowed to drink, did you go to find out your limits, or did you avoid alcohol for years yet?"

Not all conversation have to be super important, right?

[immortalmarshal]

After their serious talk the other day, Cor's glad that they can focus on something so much lighter at heart. "It took a little while to find it, really. Didn't do much heavy drinking until the first time Clarus challenged me to a drinking contest."

Regis being physically close to Cor doesn't bother him much. But if he happens to be leaning up against him, the young(er) royal is going to earn a side-glance from the other man.

[regisrex]

Look. He's... he can move away. Probably will, in a bit. But tiny, fierce Cor has turned into a solid, fierce, coeourl-like man, and he can appreciate it for a little bit. Cat style.

"That must've been spectacular. Was I around, or did I have to find about all the fun in the morning? And by that I mean afternoon..."

[immortalmarshal]

Cor's not upset. He's just...not so sure if they should be that close right now, given the time difference. Even though a tiny part of Cor doesn't really want him to pull away...

Still, there's that little smile again. "Sadly, the latter. And I was actually up before noon...mainly because he won."

[regisrex]

Cor is not wrong, really, and Regis knows it in some way. But what is at all familiar to him has gone preciously rare, and barbed, at that, so he clings to every last shard of familiarity. Lucis Caelums are cats, after all.

And Cor gets a very deliberate pout. "Of course. But even if you were up before noon, I probably didn't find out until after. Just a guess, based on how he is."

Fondly, though, so fondly.

[immortalmarshal]

Oh, they are very much like cats; Cor knows that all too well. Still, he doesn't make any moves or other indications to signal for more space. Yet. Maybe a little later. Or so he tells himself.

He isn't, however, affected by the pout. Outwardly. "Sadly, you'd be right. You were stuck in meetings all that morning, so Clarus didn't have much of a chance to tell you beforehand." Taking a sip of his drink, as if it's water and not some strong liquor.

[regisrex]

"Oh, so that is why it was." It was such a good pout, too, even though his eyes sparkle with amusement at the reasonable explanation. And at least Regis isn't too affectionate. Merely a touch too close. The number of people he's comfortable like that with was almost very small, anyway.

"Did anyone show you mercy, water bottle, and aspirin? Or did you discover those later?"

They weren't a cure for hangover, more like relief, but they did help.

"Not many people ever win drinking contests with Clarus." So, so fond. Whatever Cor remembers about these two from thirty years ago? The reality was probably even more so.

[immortalmarshal]

A touch too close feels rather familiar from this young Regis. And Cor remembers how fond Regis had acted around Clarus, but at the time, his teenage self had chalked it up to the prince being a flirt. It was, after all, before he had time to sort out his own feelings on...certain things.

"Monica took pity on me when I showed up for my shift that day." A long, frustrated sigh follows. "...very few still do, last I checked."

A.

[sonoftenebrae]

[After the day Ravus has had, he is not planning on staying sober for very long. That being as it is, he sighs when he enters the bar and spots Cor. Ravus recognizes the marshal by reputation. He should probably get this awkward confrontation over now, before he starts drowning his sorrows.

He strides across the bar to Cor's corner.]

Cor the Immortal. I heard you had awoken here.

[He studies the marshal's face, gauging his reaction to Ravus' presence. He had been in Insomnia during its fall, and the man could well attack Ravus on sight for his part in the Imperial invasion.]

[immortalmarshal]

[Cor does recognize Ravus, even before the man approached him. It's a little hard not to, considering his unique look and the fact that he's one of the tallest humans in the bar tonight. Still, he keeps his emotions hidden behind a polite stare, even as he carefully sets his utensils down.]

Hadn't realized you were in the same area as well...your Highness.

[No sarcasm, no sneering tone, no trace of anger... Just polite respect, as is due to any leader that he's not familiar with.]

[sonoftenebrae]

[Ravus’s eyes narrow, uncertain if he is being mocked.]

We both know I’ve no claim to that title.

[He might have insisted on ‘High Commander’, except after what he did in Altissia, he is fairly sure the commandership is also forfeit.]

[immortalmarshal]

That may be, but I'm not exactly inclined to call you 'Commander' or 'sir', either.

[Cor eyes the other man for a moment, noticing the new arm but not making any remarks about it. He then gestures to the seat across from him.]

Truce, for the evening?

[sonoftenebrae]

[Ravus stares for a long moment.]

...very well. 'Ravus'.

[Better no title than one he lost. He sits.]

I will not hinder your drinking. I know not what you saw up there, but imagine you need it as badly as I.

[immortalmarshal]

[Cor nods in agreement.]

'Cor', then, as well.

[No need to stand on formalities, after all.]

And I'm not quite that thirsty yet. You, however...I'm surprised that you haven't gotten one or two yet.

[sonoftenebrae]

...so you've heard.

[He shouldn't be surprised. The Lucians are always prattling on with one another, and news of the Oracle, beloved by all...Of course Cor would have heard from Noctis or his men.

He waves the bartender down for a drink.]

The night is still young. I'll have imbibed plenty before dawn.

[immortalmarshal]

Yeah... I'm sorry for your loss. She was a strong and courageous woman.

[There's deep sympathy in Cor's voice. He may not have known Lunafreya personally, but it still hurts to know that the world lost yet another shining beacon of hope.

He waits for Ravus to receive his drink before he picks up his utensils again.]

C.

[sullenstallion]

Why is this man smiling at him?

Dylas had only stopped by the bar for one drink. That's it. He wasn't planning on hanging out with anyone else, but he'd had to suffer through visiting other memories, too. Just one drink, and then he could go back to babysitting Yue and making sure he didn't bring home any strange animals or eat all the good stuff out of the fridge.

But this man is smiling at him, at his scaly ears, his snake tail, scarred face...what is this guy's problem? He's drunk, right?

"Stop."

But Dylas' voice is kind of pathetic as he looks away from his wine. This old man can't be seriously...about to hit on him or something?

"Uh, you're not my type."

Maybe, eventually, Dylas can be that asshole Cor gets to growl at. But for now? He's confused and alarmed for this poor person.

[immortalmarshal]

Cor's smiling because he feels in a good mood. He just got done talking with his past-prince, future-king friend and finished drowning what sorrows he had left in a few more strong drinks. He's been eying Dylas because he's new and he's never seen a serpent-like creature that's not a threat before.

The remark makes Cor blink for a moment, and then he's chuckling in that drunk manner many tipsy people laugh. "No, no, not like that. Not interested in snakes. Or snake people. Just...never seen a good snake person before."

[sullenstallion]

Of course he's not interested in snake people. Dylas scoffs, but he's not offended at all. Most days, he thinks his body is pretty disgusting, too, but whatever. He'll bite. It beats being wrapped around a bar stool with no one else to talk to.

"Snake monster," he corrects Cor with a polite tone that clashes so badly with his preference to be called a monster. "You have something you want to say to me?"

Dylas' tone isn't aggressive to be interpreted as an opportunity to fight. Probably. He just wants to see what the guy comes up with.

[immortalmarshal]

"Only that you act far too normal to be a monster," Cor replies cordially. "I mean, you look it, but you don't act like it." His brain to mouth filter probably got washed down within the last...three drinks? He's starting to lose count.

He takes another sip and adds, "Even though I could probably kick your ass if you were a threat." Good choices, what's that; can you eat it?

[sullenstallion]

Isn't that what a monster would want you to think? Dylas thinks that to himself but doesn't voice it, and instead he makes a sour face. What he sees himself as is right. No one can change that.

"Would you kick my ass before or after you broke your hip?"

[immortalmarshal]

Cor snorts ruefully at that question. "M'not that old. Th' ol' man of my group's that ass over there." He gestures to where a large man with very short, gray here is sitting. "45 ain't that old, and I can kick anyone else's ass still."

[sullenstallion]

Dylas could tell Cor that he's several centuries old, but he's not going to. Besides, they don't really count. Or do they? He's never sure. He just smirks.

"I guess you do look younger when you pass the buck to your older friend." Dylas scoffs in an amused way. "So, are you gonna kick my ass?"

[immortalmarshal]

Cor sizes him up for a few moments.

"Nah; not in the mood right now. Don't have my blade on me, anyway." He then scowls suddenly. "Somehow, it didn't show up with me. M'kinda pissed about that."