Pulling out a stool with his boot, he looked over to Nayun. "Shall I pour you one, Nayun? Come on. We said you were becoming a woman, didn't we? Well this is another rite of passage." He began pouring himself a shot, regardless. Under normal circumstances, a shotglass didn't take that long to fill up.

Taking a moment to think on it. Usually she'd decline -- but for tonight. ".. Yes, I will have a glass, but only one."

He smirked. He could have swore she'd say no. But at the same time, he knew she'd say yes. He poured her one. "Don't grow up too fast, now. I can keep a secret from your caretaker if you can." His hand found and rubbed her shoulder for a moment. He assumed drunkard-at-the-bar hunch.

"I do not think Miss Seirichi would mind.. it's always been a personal restriction." Reaching out to gently take hold of the glass and lift it to her face. She started with a few sniffs before touching the glass to her lips and taking a sip.
"Don't smell it." He chuckled. Holding his glass out to Nayun's, he bumped them, and then swallowed it. "Do it in one gulp if you can."

Looking over to that axe. :: "Probably time to return you to the Dwarven Mountain Lords. I've nicked you up enough, I think."

She couldn't help it. She usually smelled things before she ate them. This came from her past on having to check if food would be okay to still consume. The clanking of glasses caused her to blink. Attention turning to Dyarhk, and then her glass. ".. I'll try." One gulp. She did that with Dyarhk and Corea back at the market place, but the drink wasn't the same as this. Nayun took in a breath for preparation and finally gave a tilt of that glass back to drink it down in one go.

Dave had an excellent taste in vodka, his selection would have no odor and would carry a flavor best likened to slightly salted water. He smirked, minding his own business mostly as the two discussed their personal matters.

".. You could leave the axe to me.. I would not mind learning to use it." Nayun replied.

"Can you lift it? It is two-hundred and fifty kilograms." asked Dyarhk.

The girl who only stood at five foot blinked just then. Eyes looked to the axe.

"Hm." Reading the bottle after that shot had settled with him. "That is a smooth vodka."

".. I believe if I use the seal I could possibly wield it.."

Poor, little ol' you?::Repeating her self-description with more than a little sarcasm. Scoffing, Dave shook his head and smirked.

"Mmhm. Poor. Little. Ol'. Me." Ever one for the flair of dramatics, she lifted the back of her hand to press delicately to her forehead. "Why I am practically helpless here, you realize."

"A woman in Rhy'Din is often one of the most prepared people you can run into. And I'm sure me and this well-dressed fellow can both attest to your exact opposite of helplessness." He refilled Dave's glass before sitting the bar down. He'd stay true to what he said and not pour Nayun another. Holding the bottle out to Dave. "It's only fitting you pour her drink, I think."

Dave held up his hand, refusing with a chuckle. ?Honor's all yours, Tiger.?

Raye grinned at Dyarhk and then at Dave once again. "I don't know why you would think I am the exact opposite of helpless."

Settling herself down at the bar. She'd take up that empty glass and look it over.

Dyarhk laughed aloud. ?I'm still confident enough, I think!" Doing just that and sliding it over to Raye, and a quick pointer-finger across the bar and beside the shotglass. "Just no bodyshots. That can get dirty very quickly." He winked before looking to Nayun.

"If you ever pick it up, pick it up because you are pure of heart. It isn't meant to be lifted any other way. This was how it was made." A pat came to Nayun's back.

Pure of Heart. She'd repeat those words within her mind the moment she heard them leave the mans lips. Red eyes fell onto the axe once more to stare. Then she closed those eyes and let out a soft sigh.

A wicked little grin was given Dyarhk. "Who are you admonishing about body shots? Me, yourself, or your friend there?" Then she looked at Dave and just laughed. "Perhaps you meant that for Dave?"


".. What's a body shot?" Nayun?s focus turned away from the axe.

"Blasphemy. Never do this, Nayun." Admonished Dyarhk.

A confused look took over Nayun?s face.

?I'll drink to that.? A shared wink before he knocked the shot back as if it was water then set the glass down beside the bottle.

Dyarhk rose up an objectionary hand to the young girl. "It is nothing the Baroness of Old Temple needs to concern herself with."

Her gaze turned to Nayun and she gave a sugary smile. "Body shots are an excellent source of fun...with the right person...do not let these old men fool you into thinking otherwise. Just don't do them in the bar...or with strangers." Sage nod.

The kimono clad Nayun looked even more confused now. Her head tilting to the right while brow perked.

Of course, Rayvinn might not be the best person to listen to. She could be a little...off...at times. Chaos fueled the elf much like vodka fueled Dave.

?At the bar and with strangers is the best time to do it? His two cents, smirking and taking up the bottle to refill his shot before trading the bottle for the shot and knocking it back.

"And you would know this because you have done so?" Raye looked a little incredulously at him. Yes, Dave was a bad boy, but for some reason this still surprised her.

A shrug and a shake of his head as he smiled. ?So I've been told? Which meant he didn't remember much of it!

Dyarhk looked over to Dave, hearing his opinion on the body shots subject suddenly. A weak grin formed. :: "Yeah, I can see how that works... for some." Then the grin grew.

Looking back to Raye and Dave, and even Nayun. Why was this bar so different tonight than it was any other night? It perplexed him.

Well obviously it was because Raye had returned! Duh!

?So then what do you two have going on for the remainder of your night?" Asked Dyarhk.

"I have no plans at all. Unless I am rescued from boredom I shall simply return to my room at the Inn and plot my next adventure." Not that this was a bad thing for Rayvinn to do...though, it normally didn't bode well for others.

Small form slipped from the bar stool and slowly made it's way over to the table she had watched the challenge duel at. Reaching out and taking hold of that red cloak to place it over her form. The fur of it's collar shielding away the bottom half of her face. "I must leave now, Dyarhk.. I should make my rounds of the Old Temple district."

"Goodnight, Nayun. I'll stay here a while longer." Dyarhk waved.

"Good night to the two of you." Offering a bow of her head. She'd then turn and move up those steps to leave.

Rayvinn bowed from the waist as the girl departed. "Be well."

"For her manners' sake, we'll assume she said the three of us." to Nayun's last words before he returned to pay Dave and Raye his full attention.

"Raye the Adventurer." Dyarhk locked his smile on her. "And Dave... the slave."

Dave snickered. It was true, he was a slave in some ways.

Her grin widened. "Yes, I suffer from a disease called Wanderlust, you see." Nodnod. "And...Dave the Slave. It has a rather nice ring to it, I think." A soft little chuckle was offered as she turned to look at the object of her humor.

"Dave, if you were a slave..what sort of slave would you be?" Mind you, Raye still had no idea that Dave was a slaver. Dense, right?

When I was a slave...I was one slated for duels.? Usually death matches but he didn't offer that detail. A smirk, refilling his shotglass and knocking it back

"I did not realize you had been a slave." Of course, she didn't apologize because there was no need for it. "I recall one duel between you and Reap. I can believe you were a dueling slave, indeed"

"Well wherever you take him, Raye, make sure it has big imposing threats and baddies. Or else I do not think he would be able to keep himself entertained." Crossing those black-sleeved arms of his across his naked chest.

"Dyark...same question as Dave." This might be interesting. She slipped into the chair at Dyarhk's table and propped her legs upon his knee, without a second thought.

"Oh. Fleshing us out some, eh. I should have suspected this out of you." He leaned back into his chair now, of course taking into consideration how to answer after hearing Dave's, which had come so quickly. "I didn't know there were so many sorts of slaves. But if I had to pick one, it would have to be fruit servant for some goddess. I could get into that."

Raye snickered fitfully at Dyarhk's answer. "They are fickle wenches, of course, these goddesses. I think you would do well in that particular field, of course. Always a smooth word and action for the ladies. Your difficulty would lie in directing that charm at only one lady. Otherwise, she might have you beheaded. Or worse." She nodded slowly before pointing...down. She was far too bashful to actually point right at what she meant but he would get the general idea. "A eunich could serve fruit just as well..."

Sweet smile. Leave it to Rayvinn to discuss castration and then smile so sweetly, a dimple appeared.
"I think a fully-testicled man could serve his own unique purposes." Dyarhk replied.

Chuckling, Dave let the two friends discuss things amongst themselves for a few minutes; concentrating on drinking at a steady pace.

"I have no doubt. But if he served more than just the goddess...he probably wouldn't be fully testicled any longer." Was she really sitting here discussing testicles with Dyarhk. Of course. She wore weirdness like the hottest new accessory.

"Mmm." Dyarhk nodded, looking up in thought. "They do prefer their affection be exclusive to them, don't they. Luckily, I don't have much of a problem sticking to one woman." The brightest smile he had. It was a sarcastic thing he supported, but damn it all if it wasn't the absolute truth in the end where it mattered.

"Under such circumstances, I would be careful to retain my testicles, Raye. I assure you. I'm not horrible at getting women not to kill me. Men on the other hand, their respect is a bit harder won." Said as he punched Dave in the arm. He'd have to take one for their gender.

"You definitely have no problem with charming women, Dyarhk...but that will serve as your downfall as the fruit servant for a goddess. I wonder what sort of uniform you would be wearing. Perhaps little leaves in your hair like in the pictures I saw in that book about the Earth planet."

?Ow.? Dave smirked before taking another shot.

"I am sorry, Dave." Leaning over to the man to whisper his apology to him.

She snickered at Dave. "I have never known you to be so quiet. I am beginning to think we bore you." And how could he resist the pout that her voluptuous lips affected?

"I'm sure I'm not the best conversationalist either. I'm probably seen as unfit for most matters. Which is sad, because I hear I have an excellent ear for listening to people."

"You are an excellent conversationalist, of course." She waved a hand in dismissal of the concern. "He is just being difficult and isn't being wooed at all by our good looks and charm. What a drag."

"And if Rayvinn herself was a slave... I wonder what sort she'd be. I think it is a feminine hand I see mouth-feeding the opposite sex in most public literature than the other." Dyarhk said while stroking his chin.

"Oh yes, the fruit servant to one of the gods...I wonder if they would make me some heels out of lightning or sunshine or something." Beware of the whimsical nature of hyper weird elf, tonight.

"Heels of any sort would be appreciated upon you."

She wiggled one of her feet that was resting upon his knee. "Heels love me and I love them." This particular pair were exceptionally lovely with a nice five inch heel and straps around her ankles and the tops of her feet. "I am far too tall in these, however." In this pair she would be 6' 2."

"Such craftsmanship." He said while examining the foot.

"Indeed. They were definitely worth what I paid. No such thing as too much gold spent on a sexy pair of shoes."

"I'm glad you know how to prioritize." He sat the foot back down on his knee.

She knew she seemed shallow, it was quite intentional. Though the shoes...really were fabulous. "So, tell me what I have missed in your life. I believe when I last really talked to you, before today, you were still married to Seirichi." She really did try not to make the face that she was making, really she did. "How is that workin' for ya?"

"Well that is quite outdated. I suppose if you will go parading around calling yourself my friend, you should have the facts straight." A soft chuckle. No offense had been intended in that.

"We're still very good friends, her and I, and we share a daughter, so that is ideal. But that marriage that she stepped out of was a triangular one. It was a beautiful thing, frightening at times, but of course, wasn't meant to last. I am still with her. Her name is Corea." He stretched. "Seems we both suffered falling outs. Haven't we?" A snicker.

She rubbed at her forehead in consternation as she began to think about what Dyarhk had said about the state of things. "Has no one stopped the force responsible for all of this mayhem?"

"They mingle with them in the inn. And what's worse, the people go on days after, sometimes later on in the same day as if nothing has happened. It is not the sort of community I would subscribe to."

"I believe Batten is putting up some effort, as well as the Scathachians. But I have been in the inn during instances when both would be smacktalking the enemy of the state, when it is long past a time for dialog."

She shook her head, eyes widening. "People have just accepted this as normal? It makes me wonder why I bothered to return."

"Because of friends like Dave? Cor?" He smiled.

"And you. Though I feel a loss for the time I was not a more active part of your life. I have seen myself very much as a burden and I also allowed my relationship with Jono force most others out of my life. I apologize for being a terrible friend, Dyarhk. I hope you can forgive me." She looked up from beneath her lashes, actually quite sincere in that apology.
"There's nothing beyond apologizing for, Raye." He'd extend a hand for some sort of contact. He wasn't sure where she'd gotten to or if she was within hugging range. If she had been? Well then . . .

"It's you guys that keep me coming back, too." A bright smile. "The very thing that shoos me away is what makes the place so amazing. Here I've been coming in the inn all these years, and one day, it was just one day, you decided to walk in." He chuckled.

She had moved back to her seat next to his once the drinks had been obtained, so she reached over to squeeze his hand as he extended it. "I'm afraid I have many apologies to make in the near future. Do you think it would be wrong to make my apology to him in the form of a letter? I honestly cannot face him. That is why Dave was with me." Raye wouldn't admit to much weakness, especially not lately, but here it was, laid bare for Dyarhk to see.

She grinned at him and shrugged. "Then I became quite the pest for a while before just drifting away and disappearing. But!" She gave him a bright smile. "I'm back. I will be less of a pest but will not just disappear without a proper goodbye, alright?"

"Good. Cause I'd come running after you, you know."

"As for a written apology? Well, if it is something you truly feel you need to do. And cannot do any other way, then proceed forward with your plan. There is nothing horrifically wrong with it by any means. And sometimes we word ourselves much more honestly and better on paper."

"Its good to know you would come after me." She half laughed at that.

"I feel I should do something. I couldn't tell him I was leaving or he would have stopped me or insisted that he come along. He never would have let me go and then he would have been in danger. As would my friends. I couldn't allow that to happen again...so I left." She said she couldn't allow that to happen...again. That indicated she had done this before.

"I told my two best friends goodbye and trusted them with certain items but I didn't even leave him a letter to explain that I was going. I just slipped out of our bed and left." And she felt an emotion she rarely acknowledged...shame.

He listened so intently. So this had been Raye's reasoning for disappearing. And even that was still veiled in mystery. But dare he pry into the story deeper? No, despite his curiosity. It was just that, curiosity. It was not something he needed to know. And he would never be that friend that took information. He always preferred to be given it. "...It must've been good when it lasted. Good when the idea still lasted."

"It was a good idea. And even though I am sorry for hurting him, I do not regret leaving. It was for his own protection. While I was away, however, I realized that I cannot go back to this life he envisioned for us." She shrugged those bared too-thin shoulders before continuing. "It is his vision, not my own. Despite the danger, the adventures while I was away, were exhilarating. I felt alive again." He would see that life bloom in her cheeks and eyes as she relived the excitement once again.

"Mmmm. In order to truly have worked out, it would have needed to be your vision as well. I will give Jono some great credit. It is no easy task to attempt to tame an elf. I may have chosen my words poorly, there, but I imagine had his dream come true, you would be a much different Raye from then on."

"One man's happily ever after is a woman's chains."

She nodded, taking no offense at all. "I also feel that he was taming me, or trying to. I don't think he had any nefarious plan, other than to keep me to himself. If you cage a wild thing, however, it will die. I was dying slowly. Even as much as I loved him, and you have no idea how wholly and completely I loved that man, I want to live. I choose to live even if that means I never experience the high of that sort of love again. It was a fiery, consuming thing that left me spellbound and
breathless."

Now, Dyarhk got to -finally- hear something about love coming from the woman that had previously professed her disbelief in such a thing, if he remembered. Maybe he would be proud of her. Especially for her "it was better to have love and lost" attitude.

"Chains...yes. And not the happy, tie you to the bed kind, either." Yes, she said that...and then laughed hysterically. Nutty elf.

Indeed, she had romanticized to him. And in effect, removed some of the gravity from around him. She had chosen her words so beautifully. "Wow, Raye. You could put some poets I know out of business with talk like that." He complimented in the most unusual way. "Who knows if such a high will ever return to you. Only time will answer that for you. But don't let that stop flings or boy-toys while you're waiting." He laughed. "Because while I can respect a man out at sea hunting the elusive mayfly that is love, I recognize that it is also such a lonely journey.

"I am sure that sort of high must be paid for with freedom, so perhaps something a little less costly such as a boy toy or a fling is exactly what is needed." She nodded slightly. "It is lonely. I was fine while I was away, danger was the perfect bedfellow to make me not think of how lonely I was. I am finding it nearly impossible to sleep now. Sleeping alone in a bed in this city where he is only a few miles away...it devastates. Which is why I plan to take Jose to bed with me frequently." She pulled the bottle of tequila from her bag and shook it in explanation. "Jose Cuervo...you are familiar with this drink?" Just so he understood there wasn't some strange man named Jose in her bed right now. Not that it would matter, of course.
"Hehehe!" :: He Lupin-laughed. :: "I had been waiting for one of us to use the word bedfellow, tonight. I was just having trouble placing it." And oh, he had been anticipating just who this Jose could have been. He had been ready to start cracking jokes. Simple, lead-nowhere jokes, but would serve the time. And then she presented him that bottle and he sighed something friendly, taking it and even convincing himself with this physical proof he would not have his fun. "Aaaawww..."

He was most comical in his disappointment. "I should get a prize for being the first to use it...and properly!"

"I won't say it's a good supplement, but it's one that works for you, Raye. And that's what we all have to do. We have to fasten whatever we can just to get the machine to work. If you're lucky, one day, we'll all be made of things we want to be. We'll run because we want to and not because we have to. This is our great life's goal. It is mine. And I've succeeded, for the most part. I've found a place where trouble has not."

"I am the strongest man I set out to be. I have the two greatest powers of all. I am able to both provide food, and shelter to anyone that may need it. These are the most important things I think with friends. They will always need a good bed that they can feel safe in, and good food."

She sipped at her cider as he spoke and canted her head slightly. "You are correct in this. You feed the body, you feed the soul."

"It is what I told my oldest boy. I told him to do these things for people if he sees them in need of them. Or if he just likes them. A good meal binds us all tighter." He laced his fingers together as an example. Not because he felt Raye needed one, but he couldn't get away with saying it with that level of passion and not do it.

"I have finally placed your charm. I have tried for so very long to figure it out. And now I know." She nodded, giving him a little mysterious smile, eyes twinkling as she kept it from him for as long as she could...which was all of two seconds. "You are comfort, Dyarhk. Pure comfort," It was truth.

He's staring at her while feeling himself out about the chest. "I suppose I'm pretty soft."

"Why are you feeling your boobies and staring at me, Dyarhk?" A brow arched slightly as she stared back.

"Just checking for lumps is all."

"I see." Deadpan.

"That's very important inspecting, you know." A hand risen. "But I understand your meaning." He grins. "It may be boring to be brought to a place where there is no guarantee of danger, like there is here. But even for those that want those dangers and risks, they can balance all these options before them. A safe Tuesday, a dangerous Wednesday, a predictable Thursday, and a mysterious Friday..."

She couldn't maintain that look, however, and a smile began to crack the seriousness of that look.
"You were able to boil me down to a word. Would you like to know what I've boiled you down to?"

"I cannot live on danger alone, you realize. That would be like a man living only on meat. No variety at all is boring." She chuckled slightly. "I just do not want to be idle. I remember you wanting me to not be idle either." Again her head canted to the side, and she began to lightly twist the sideswept ponytail. "Of course...what am I boiled down to?"

"In my own defense and yours as well...that is not ALL you are. I said that is what your charm stems from." Nodding.

"I'm no prophet or mindreader or even futureteller. But I'll take a crack at it. Alright. Here goes.? He stares at her. "Protection. You are fiercely loyal to those you call friend. You will not let any harm come to them." He's staring to see if he got it right. "Oh, no, of course not. I know you know I'm sexy as well as being comfortable. And that I am probably very lazy on the weekends. But that one's more of a secret."

"Protection." She lowered her gazed and nodded thoughtfully. "I think I am, yes." Then came the laughter, because how could she not laugh? "Well, duh! Of course I know you are sexy. I am an elf...we have excellent vision and even better taste in what is beautiful about the world." Another soft laugh was offered before she drew a cross over her heart. "Promise I won't divulge that secret to anyone."

"You have been most pleasant to share a conversation with this evening, Raye. Thank you."

"As have you. Thank you for making life much brighter today, Dyarhk. I appreciate your friendship."

"We will do it again very soon. And you will spend the night at my house. And we will eat. And you will hear babies whine and you will look miserable."

"So long as your wife doesn't mind allowing me to mess up her guest room. Though, I will clean up after myself." She did crinkle up her nose however, "Babies...ehh..you won't make me hold one of those things will you?"
"Let us say that it will not be one of those safe or predictable days we just talked about." A bright smile as he stood and pushed off the pommel of his axe. "Come here, let me say goodnight to you."

She slipped from the chair and moved the two steps required to stand in front of him. "I can deal with safe and unpredictable...babies...I think it would bite me. But nevermind that now. I will formulate a battle plan when it is closer to actual time for the skirmish." She stood an inch shorter than him in the heels and it was a rather heady feeling for her to be so tall, though she had never been a short individual to begin with.

"Going in prepared. That sounds like you." His hand came to rest upon her forehead lovingly as if he were taking her temperature, and then brush any errant locks of hair aside for him to kiss a smooth temple. "I will see you soon, I'm sure. Goodnight."

She nodded and offered him a smile. "Be safe on your way home." A glance to his axe, "Nevermind. No worrying about you with that thing. Goodnight Dyarhk." She leaned over to pick up the bottle of Cuervo and her bag and moved for the exit, heels click-clacking the same steady rhythm as when she had arrived.

She'd get a complimentative whistle from behind her showing approval.

He would hear her soft chuckle as she reached the door and receive a little wink tossed over her bare shoulder as she walked out the door.

Walking with the weapon in hand tonight, he'd walk a pleasant distance and then "phone" for a ride home.