you never seemed to reject my company much in the first place, Lancer i just don't know what else i have to fill you in on as far as warrior stuff goes i don't even know why i'm thinking about reporting it to you like you gave me an assignment or something
[and she's there, walking into the bar and asking for Shadow at the door just as she was instructed. no transformations have happened quite yet in the real world for Emerald (or Em Fall, as she introduced herself), but she's trying to dress at least a little more conservatively since she has precisely no idea what this bar is like or what to expect.
[other than... it's a place Lancer frequents. and that could mean anything. so she's a little more covered up; she's making do with a long-ish black jacket that leaves her arms, back, and holsters covered, and her top isn't baring any midriff. just in case. it's all easy to remove, too—again, just in case. there's no way of knowing whether this will go poorly.]
[ A glance around showed the bar had a surprisingly broad selection of walks of life represented, but there was still a distinct, unmistakable common thread between each of them as well.
Almost everyone in the bar was a monster. Some humans speckled about, clearly there with their bonded and enjoying their company, but this definitely was a bar that catered more to the beastly brethren. And "Shadow" herself was tucked away in a corner, dressed in black, and living up to her name with how well she blended into the darkness of her booth, a veil over her hair and covering her face. ]
[it took Emerald a little longer than she might have wanted to actually track down a familiar face (or a familiar something). as she wandered over to the corner booth and found the darkness had a form to it, she couldn't help but grin. the environment seemed welcoming enough not to drive her off or otherwise make her uncomfortable; once she started getting those monstrous traits, maybe she'd frequent this place herself. for now, though, Emerald walked right up to the edge of the table, placed her palms flat on it, and leaned forward.]
How many names am I going to have to learn for you?
[maybe she's teasing. maybe it's a good answer for both of the things Lancer said. she slides into the seat beside her companion without much ceremony and leans forward again, resting her elbows on the table.]
Well, you're still the only Lancer I know. How have things been going with you?
[ A long sigh. Their drinks arrived just in time, as Lancer suddenly very much needed one, taking hers and pulling the face mask down so she could take a nice, long sip. ]
Besides my two idiot disciples needling me about not having a bond and retreating from Dorchacht, it's been well enough.
[Emerald looked at her drink warily at first, deciding that it would be a better idea to respond to Lancer to start.]
I don't know why having a bond is so important. I only made one to keep myself safe in that dream. [and she'd been quietly enjoying almost every part of it, but she'd keep that to herself for the moment. as her eyes slid down to the whiskey in front of her, she asked the question she should've asked much sooner.] Is it the same way in real life?
The bond is meant to act as deterrent from losing one's humanity to their beasthood, and I certainly don't resent that part of the concept. [ Lancer sighed, shifting her glass to sit near the candle on the table, occasionally rotating it. ]
But I am not the sort who is keen on being tethered at this point in my life, either. What's more, it's my business, not theirs.
I meant Dorchacht. [she lifted one corner of her mouth, then gripped her own glass and raised it off the table slightly.] But you're right. They don't need to get involved in something that they don't get a say in. What are they gonna do, bond with you?
[and. okay. well. she raised the glass to her lips and, using Lancer as a guide, took a careful, measured sip of the whiskey.]
[and put the glass back down harder than she'd wanted to as the flash of a burn overtook her and her eyes shut suddenly. it was gone almost before it started, but she had not been prepared for the kind of thing Lancer had ordered. almost involuntarily, she let out a sharp noise.]
[ Well that was a quick does of light to her frustration, to be sure. She didn't bother to hold back her laugh, though the tone and the way she pat Emerald's shoulder didn't suggest it was entirely at her expense. ]
Don't worry, everyone's first taste is like that. Try it with a few drops of water in the glass, it should help.
[Emerald shook her head and looked back down at the glass like it was challenging her directly, though she wasn't going to follow through on it yet.]
I can handle it. Anyone around here you would consider tethering yourself to? Way down the line, whenever you feel like doing it.
[time for another go at it, and this one, she could brace herself for. she took in slightly less and managed to stop herself from making a noise, but the burn still hit her and ran all the way down her throat.]
Adding water enhances the flavor while easing the burn, lass, it's not about 'handling' anything. It's the proper way to drink it, even. [ Scathach chuckled, shaking her head and deliberately ignoring her question. ]
[well, at least Emerald wasn't a stranger to people ignoring her questions. especially people who styled themselves immortals. she rolled her shoulders, reached for the water, and poured a couple drops into her glass as carefully as she could. she definitely only spilled, like, a little bit of it down the edge. it's fine.]
I thought the point of alcohol was to not water it down. You're supposed to drink it to get drunk.
I've never really been in a position to drink things like this for the experience of drinking it.
[she should probably be more embarrassed about saying that, but it clearly isn't bothering her too much. with another look at the drink, she picks it up and takes another sip, and she still doesn't quite know how to savor it, she supposes, but it's definitely an easier thing to drink this time. she continues.]
I mean, I don't drink much to begin with. It's... better for me to keep myself alert.
[ Lancer took another drink, a longer one, and leaned in to rub her shoulder against Emerald some, giving her something of an appraising look. ]
I have to be honest lass, even with how things started between us, regarding others based on whether or not they'll bring you harm isn't the healthiest way to go through life.
[she scoffs and looks back at the drink, and suddenly she's feeling like maybe she could go for another sip. bigger, and a little more reckless of one. once she's done, she winces, then continues.]
I don't like saying it, but you're about 15 years too late on that one, Lancer.
[ She'd had a feeling it was a matter like that. The foundations for that sort of philosophy were so often seeded in the fertile soils of youth, after all. And Emerald definitely felt like she had a lot of weeds to clear out of her own soul. But Lancer... still found herself fond of the girl, at least of the courage she'd displayed thus far. ]
It's not as if I've any right to have an aim to better you, lass. I can only say I'm glad I've not poisoned the well further.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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i just don't know what else i have to fill you in on as far as warrior stuff goes
i don't even know why i'm thinking about reporting it to you like you gave me an assignment or something
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as long as you're okay with someone who's never had whiskey before
i'd be glad to join you
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[ An address for a bar is left here. ]
Ask for Shadow at the door.
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see you there, lancer
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[other than... it's a place Lancer frequents. and that could mean anything. so she's a little more covered up; she's making do with a long-ish black jacket that leaves her arms, back, and holsters covered, and her top isn't baring any midriff. just in case. it's all easy to remove, too—again, just in case. there's no way of knowing whether this will go poorly.]
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Almost everyone in the bar was a monster. Some humans speckled about, clearly there with their bonded and enjoying their company, but this definitely was a bar that catered more to the beastly brethren. And "Shadow" herself was tucked away in a corner, dressed in black, and living up to her name with how well she blended into the darkness of her booth, a veil over her hair and covering her face. ]
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How many names am I going to have to learn for you?
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I've already ordered your drink. It'll be here shortly.
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[maybe she's teasing. maybe it's a good answer for both of the things Lancer said. she slides into the seat beside her companion without much ceremony and leans forward again, resting her elbows on the table.]
Well, you're still the only Lancer I know. How have things been going with you?
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Besides my two idiot disciples needling me about not having a bond and retreating from Dorchacht, it's been well enough.
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I don't know why having a bond is so important. I only made one to keep myself safe in that dream. [and she'd been quietly enjoying almost every part of it, but she'd keep that to herself for the moment. as her eyes slid down to the whiskey in front of her, she asked the question she should've asked much sooner.] Is it the same way in real life?
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But I am not the sort who is keen on being tethered at this point in my life, either. What's more, it's my business, not theirs.
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[and. okay. well. she raised the glass to her lips and, using Lancer as a guide, took a careful, measured sip of the whiskey.]
[and put the glass back down harder than she'd wanted to as the flash of a burn overtook her and her eyes shut suddenly. it was gone almost before it started, but she had not been prepared for the kind of thing Lancer had ordered. almost involuntarily, she let out a sharp noise.]
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Don't worry, everyone's first taste is like that. Try it with a few drops of water in the glass, it should help.
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I can handle it. Anyone around here you would consider tethering yourself to? Way down the line, whenever you feel like doing it.
[time for another go at it, and this one, she could brace herself for. she took in slightly less and managed to stop herself from making a noise, but the burn still hit her and ran all the way down her throat.]
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I thought the point of alcohol was to not water it down. You're supposed to drink it to get drunk.
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[ She taps at her temple. Think about it, Emerald. ]
The point is to allow the flavors to come through. You shouldn't be drinking good scotch simply to become drunk.
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[she should probably be more embarrassed about saying that, but it clearly isn't bothering her too much. with another look at the drink, she picks it up and takes another sip, and she still doesn't quite know how to savor it, she supposes, but it's definitely an easier thing to drink this time. she continues.]
I mean, I don't drink much to begin with. It's... better for me to keep myself alert.
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You already know you're the strongest person in any room you walk into. If you wanted to hurt me, you'd just do it.
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I have to be honest lass, even with how things started between us, regarding others based on whether or not they'll bring you harm isn't the healthiest way to go through life.
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[she scoffs and looks back at the drink, and suddenly she's feeling like maybe she could go for another sip. bigger, and a little more reckless of one. once she's done, she winces, then continues.]
I don't like saying it, but you're about 15 years too late on that one, Lancer.
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It's not as if I've any right to have an aim to better you, lass. I can only say I'm glad I've not poisoned the well further.
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