A Mug of Hot Cider

[zury]

[glow=red,3,000]~Sabir~[/glow]

Snow was starting to fall.

That thought ran through Sabir's mind as he sat outside, peering up at the clouds rolling through the costal city. How odd, he thought idly, blinking before looking down at the market place before him. He had done a little bit of shopping. It had been mostly for new fabrics and to check out that new needle booth. His were getting worn. He smiled lightly as his nose scrunched up when a white flake landed on his skin. It almost blended in. He shivered gently in his tunic as a chilling wind swept across him and he curled more into his wooly cloak he had bought the beginning of the season from the market. That had been a good buy...

As Sabir inhaled through his nose, a delightful scent tickled it and he found himself getting up. Gathering his packages, he began to follow the scent with his nose. Suddenly, he found himself in front of a tavern with it’s door opened as people scurried in to escape the cold. The scent teased his nose once more and he smelt something along the lines of cinnamon. Tentatively, he stepped inside, almost going back out due to the crowded place. A waiter passed by him, carrying three mugs that carried that delightful scent. Cider! His mind rejoiced, finally recognizing that scent. Hard cider perhaps, a voice spoke up in his mind. That made him a little more eager to find a table. Already he was searching his pouch for the needed money as he managed to squeeze in between two people and snag a small table that had been partially hidden from view until now. With a contented sigh, he rested his packages on the floor and leaned back, watching all the hustle and bustle. He caught a glimpse of a flurry outside and was thankful that his nose had led him here.

As he waited, Sabir rifled through his items, picking out the new porcelain figure he had bought. It was of a spinning girl and already he was thinking of her design. Her hair would be would long and black with brown streaks. Her outfit would be a pale green and would consist of a skirt with a lighter green gauze over it. Her top would be off the shoulders long sleeved and sparkle with the glitter he had bought. He rifled around once more, pulling out the small white wig. He would use some special paints on it, giving it the glossy look of healthy hair. His specialty.

Luckily, he did not have to wait too long for his mug of hot cider. He was slightly disappointed that it was just pure cider, but he enjoyed it anyways. The sweet nectar danced across his tongue and down his throat, making his toes curl in warmth. It was very delicious, he thought as he already made plans to come back to this place more often during the colder months. Giving a slight shudder, he wrapped both hands around his mug, letting the heat warm his hands on the outside while the liquid warmed his body on the inside. He watched as the crowd seemed to die down, most of the patrons having left with their drinks or having settled down quietly to their meals. He eyed some of the plates, wondering how much money he had left. No, he thought, he didn't need to pay for this food when he had perfectly good food at home. It shouldn't be pushed aside for food that was already cooked, saving him the time and from getting the kitchen all messy. He shuddered again. Oh how he hated a messy kitchen. Or a messy house for that matter. How people could let dirt, grime, clothes and anything else just lie around, unclean and not put up was beyond him. Already his fingers were picking at a speck on the table, inspecting it lightly. He held his mug up to eye level, scanning it carefully for any sign of something unclean. Maybe he was a bit obessed, but he couldn't help it. It would drive him crazy if something wasn't clean.

He sighed, setting the almost empty mug down. His stomach felt quite full and he was afraid if he took another sip, the cider might come back up. Even looking at it made him slightly green. Let it not go to waste!, the words echoed through his mind. He sighed, cringing almost and emptied the rest of the contents into his mouth. Placing the money on the table for whoever to pick up, he gathered his belongings up once more and quietly exited like a ghost of some sort. The bell made a cheery sound as he stepped back out onto the street, it already covered in a thin blanket of snow as more continued to fall, becoming thicker with each passing moment. He should be heading home soon, Sabir thought.

[Aveilthé]

In the streets of Escavas, a skinny little brat was holding a small coat
about her figure, her nose and part of her face hidden to ease the
cold air biting at her flesh. Her whole body was frozen, or at least
she felt that way, but in her fair little head, all that she wanted
was some kind of place to heat her up.

Sequoia was one of the few oddballs of the city, only because
she was the only girl in the street wearing blue jeans and a slightly
torn red tank top that clung to her womanly figure. Jet-black hair
fell just a bit below her shoulders, and was usually perfectly
straight and layered nicely. However, today her hair was tousled
by the snowstorm, her dark-tanned cheeks as red as her tanktop.

In the distance, she saw a cheery-looking tavern that looked
welcoming indeed. A faint scent of cinammon was wafted through
her nostrils, but it burned the tiny hairs as the frigid air felt
like it was trying to eat her nose off. Hunching over against the
wind, she trudged through the thickening snow to get to the
tavern.

It took no time at all as she stepped through the doors. She
was greeted by the eminent warmth creeping through her skin,
easing the chill that lingered in her body. Shaking off her coat,
she made her way through the crouded place.

Blast, she thought, of course it has to be crowded. And
all the friggin' tables have to be occupied.

The young girl made her way to a table to where a peculiar figure
of white hair sat, making dolls. Pursing her lips, Sequoia lightly
stepped up and looked down at the man. "Sorry for the bother,
but is it all right if I can sit here? All the other tables are filled,"
she said with a bold voice. She was not scared of anything, but
she cannot be blamed. She looked disgruntled, once she removed
her jacket, and was indeed in a bad mood right now. The storm
was the blame. "I won't stay long anyway, once the storm clears
up some I gotta get moving."

At this point, one may guess that the girl was about eighteen or
so, perhaps nineteen. The only thing that degraded her age was
her apparent skinniness, not due to a complete lack of nourishment.

[zury]

[glow=red,3,000]~Sabir~[/glow]

He was startled slightly when the woman approached him. He, at first glance, thought her to be an urchin off the street. He had not even seen her come up to the table. He stared at her for a moment, cherry eyes unmoving. He nodded slowly, speaking the words aloud as well.
"Sure. It will not bother me." he said, pulling out his doll once more and a few vials of paint out of his bag. There were three different colors: black, gold and a light brown. A small, thin paintbrush appeared in his hands. He had dipped in the brush when he looked up at the woman who would now be occupying the table with him. "You don't mind if I paint, do you?" he questioned curiously, though his fingers were already working on the outline of the doll's eyes.

In all honesty, he did not care whether she would say yes or no. It was just a formality, he supposed. He had been there first, so he could do whatever he wanted to at the table. So he thought.
"Would you like some more cider, Sir?" a small female voice asked him. He knew immediately that this was not the voice of the lady that had sat down at his table. He looked up to see a bar maid, carrying a tray on her hip as if it were a baby.
"No thank you." he replied softly, eyes going back to his work. The woman looked at Sequoia, asking her the same question that she had asked the concealed Naga.

Sabir faintly wondered if this woman-child, or whatever she was, had any money upon her in which to purchase a mug of cider or anything of the sort. The thought of more cider made his stomach do a funny lurch. Well, it wasn't too funny to him. In fact, he turned a shade paler (if that is possible for an albino to turn paler). One part of his brain hoped that this stranger would not get a mug to drink, for he was not sure if he could handle the smell. Already the tavern smelt powerfully of it and it made his stomach roll some more.

He was starting to regret drinking that cider. But it had been nice going down, but he wasn't too sure if it would taste that nice coming up...

[Aveilthé]

Sequoia smiled briefly at the man in thanks and weaved her way
between the table and chairs in order to sit next to the man. It
was all she could do to keep her distance, but it was rather
difficult when the people were tightly packed all around.
"Ehh, sorry if I'm too close. Can't be helped," she grumbled. "And
keep going about your business," she added, gesturing to his dolls,
"I don't want to impose on your... err... craft..."

Once she set her pitiful coat aside, she leaned over and examined
the dolls that the man was producing by hand. "Oh, those are
nice," she complimented, her brows lofting in mild amazement.
"So, you're an artist?" She then stopped short, rolling her eyes
at herself. What a clever question, she told herself, smacking
her forehead with her hand. Of course he's an artist, she has
two eyes and can see him making little dolls by hand. Composing
herself, she straightened her spine and folded her arms on the
table.

As a waitress waddled her way to wait on Sequoia, the girl would
smack her lips as she glanced at a menu. "I'll take a pint of ale,"
said she, rubbing her chin in reminiscense. "Haven't had
a good sized ale in a while. A looong time."

The waitress gave the girl a funny look, as if this girl was being
dumb on purpose. "You're too young for ale, sweetheart," she
said, rolling her pudgy knuckles on her wide hips as she
scrutinized Sequoia.

"Ugghrr... no, I'm nineteen. From what I know, the legal drinking
age in Escavas is eighteen," she replied haughtily, reaching
through a small, cute white kitty bag she had strapped over her
back and brandishing her identification card like a sword. She
waved it front of the waitress's face, making her draw back some.
"Alright miss, alright!" With that, the waitress lumbered off
to the kitchens to call for ale with a sour look on her face.

[zury]

[glow=red,3,000]~Sabir~[/glow]

Sabir glanced at her briefly as she made her way into the seat. When she started to talk, he let his paintbrush rest on the table. "Thank you.." His lips quirked in a crooked grin as she smacked herself after asking if he was an artist. "I am," he laughed softly, picking up his paintbrush once more to finish outlining the almond shaped eyes. "I own a small shop here in the market place where I sell these dolls." he stated, cherry eyes lifting to study her once more.

He watched the short converstation between her and the barmaid and his crooked grin continued to show on her face. She had a bit of fire in her. "I thought you looked around seventeen, eighteen at the least." he mused to himself. His stomach rolled at the thought of ale. If it smelt too bad to his sensitive nose, he'd would have to leave for the time being.

"You know, I never caught your name. Mine is Sabir." He held out his hand, his free hand, to shake hers in a friendly greeting. "You know, you have very lovely skin." he murmured, eyes sweeping over her for what seemed like the thousandth time.

[Aveilthé]

A double nod was given to Sabir. "Yeah, they are really nice.
A guy like you could make big bucks for those. I'd buy one, if I had
more of those Escavas coins. Can't find a place to turn Thor money
into coastal coins." She took a moment to idly reach over and take
her pint of ale from the porky waitress, who sneered at Sequoia.
"Thanks," she replied silkily without looking at the woman, before
settling herself comfortably in her seat and taking a long sip of
her ale.

"Mmmm." Her eyes were closed as she tipped her head back,
as if enjoying the fizzling, foaming sensations sliding down her
throat. "Ahh. Yeah, and that's where I'm from. Thor, you know."
She settled her goblet upon the table with a clunk.

Sequoia didn't even take the time to mull the man's words over in
her head. It didn't occur to her that he perhaps meant it.
"Haha, yeah, need to tan more though, I've been away from the
sun for a while but there's a fat chance this skin'll turn any lighter
than it already is. Been dark since I was born, though I dunno
what my nationality is. Never asked my parents I s'pose. I'm
guessing I'm from the far north, 'cause I think I look a bit like the
natives there. Anyway..." She paused again as she listened
to Sabir speak his name. With her hand opposite of Sabir's arm,
she'd boldy take his hand and shake his also.

"Nice to meet ya. You can call me Sequoia. So, Sabir, been here
in Escavas long?" She slouched in her seat as she held her goblet
of ale in one hand, though all the while looking at her companion
sitting next to her.

[zury]

[glow=red,3,000]~Sabir~[/glow]

She's very talkative, it seems, he thought to himself as he watched her, a discreet way of studying her. Thor? He hadn't heard of such a place. Even though he had been around here for nearly three years, he didn't know much of the land or the surrounding cities. "I've never been to Thor...or heard of it for that matter." his pale cheeks blushed lightly as he looked back down to his doll. He felt stupid now because he did not know what place she was talking about. With infinite care he wiped his brush clean of the black paint as he finished the eyes and dipped it into the gold and brown liquid. He took it and started to sprinkle her already formed nose with tiny freckles.

"You are very nice." he stated, talking about when she had complimented his dolls. When she asked how long he had been in this place, he shrugged lightly. "Not too long. About three years. Just last year I had enough to move into a nicer house along the coast. It's got a great view of the sea. I have a balcony where I go and sit and work on my dolls, or paint or sew." he rambled lightly, feeling the need to talk all of the sudden.

"Are the people friendly in Thor?" he questioned, looking back up at her with a tilted head. He looked down as his bracelet bumped the table lightly, thinking it was something else. "Perhaps I should go there, to get a change of scenery and maybe some more inspiration. I've been a little dry in my mind lately. But I have to keep painting and working, or else I won't make money. I sell a variety of stuff, but not a lot since most of it can be rather expensive, especially my dolls. But they are my pride and joy, and I don't think I could sell them at a low value. Each doll has a personality of their own, and I'm afraid they would get very offended if I sold them for cheap." he laughed to himself, looking longingly at the small doll before him. "She shall be a ballerina in green." He finally let his mouth close, not wanting to seem like he was hogging the conversation.

[Aveilthé]

The skinny brat clutched her ale until her knuckles almost turned
white. This action did not mean anything entirely; perhaps the ale
was simply too strong. And it was proven true once she felt bubbles
rise from her esophogus. Clearing her throat, she turned to face
her conversational companion with bleary brown eyes.

"Oh, hehe, yeah, Thor... Well not entirely, see. It's this massive
city where technology is erroneously great, so you get to see
all these weird machines that take a genius to handle. The streets
are filled with all kinds of people and - hic - halfbreeds,
'scuse me... And people can't even take two friggin' seconds to
say 'pardon me' while walking by or going through crowds and
stuff, you know what I mean?" She took a generous pause to
take a gulp of her ale. "Hic - sorry 'bout that... And at any
rate, without a good leader to run the darn place, Thor will just
go to the dumps. It's big and smelly and just full of rude people."

There was another little pause where Sequoia drained the last
dregs of her ale before slamming it on the table wearing a huge
grin on her face.

"Well that's something, you're surely not like most guys! I admire
you for having a little...," she then gave a small burp and
appologized sincerely for her rudeness, "femenine side I guess,
kudos to you. I'll drink to that. Hey, waitress, fill me up more,
please." With this, the waitress moseyed over and filled the girl's
goblet with more ale.

Upon the liquid filling to the top, Sequoia lifted it with her fingers
around the rim and pointed it a little tipsy at her companion.
"Here's to you!" And with that she drank her goblet deeply.

"And what about them posters, eh?" she inquired, letting her
half-empty goblet fall with a small clunk to the table.
"People say that there's a vampire on the loose and whatnot.
Used to not believe in vampires, but then again they're half-breeds
of a human and (hic; scuse me!) whatever else they are,
and people are talking about them like they talk of earth and sky.
Not that halfbreeds are bad, mind you, I think they're pretty damn
cool."

[zury]

[glow=red,3,000]~Sabir~[/glow]

“Oh...” he stated as she ranted about Thor. Perhaps he would not be going there anytime soon. It sounded rather unfriendly and not very pretty like the coast was here. “Perhaps I shall put off a visit to Thor.” he laughed to himself as she hiccuped lightly. He put his doll aside to dry, leaning his elbows on the table and looking directly forward, eye contact being very essential to a good conversation. Well, that’s what he thought anyways. He had to admit, this was a bit of a record for himself. Sabir never talked much with the opposite sex, finding himself rather shy and a complete idiot when it came to most conversations. He thought that he was a rather bad conversation holder even with other men. He was just not a people person, it seemed.

Sabir blushed lightly as she told him that he was a little bit more feminine. Of course, his male side did not like it when he was called feminine, whether as a compliment or an insult. He could faintly remember some of his childhood. Other boys his age picking on him for being girly. So he was a little bit more artistic than some males his age. So he did not care too much about attracting the prettiest girl or having the biggest muscles. Did that make him a lesser man? He was often confused in his thoughts about this subject. Some people said no, some people said yes. But all that mattered was what he thought and at the current time, he did not know. Sabir nibbled on his lip lightly, ignoring the slight itching of his legs. He would have to go home soon.

Sabir did not like being in legs very much. He rather enjoyed his tail with scales. Haha, that rhymed, he thought, instantly back to paying attention to her talking. He did that some times, just zoned out.

“ vampire on the loose...” he instantly perked up, hearing the words. When she finished he leaned back in his seat.

“You think half-breeds are cool?” he questioned, tilting his head. She was the only person he had met in this place that did not hate half breeds. He gave an inward smile. Guess she wouldn’t mind what I am, he thought.

“A vampire, you say? How interesting. Surely this vampire cannot be all bad. He has to eat too.” he chuckled. “As long as he is not killing innocents, I do not think he would mind. I just think the human race does not like what is different..” Oops. He was just insulting himself if he was supposed to be human. “I think I’ve said too much.” With that he packed away his doll, getting ready to stand up. “I need to be heading home.” his eyes were darting around, wondering if anyone besides her had heard him. “It was nice to meet you Sequoia.” he dipped his head in a gentlemanly fashion.

[Aveilthé]

As each second passed, Sequoia steadily became more tipsy.
She swayed to and fro every so often as she would stare blankly at
Sabir with her big brown, bleary eyes.

"Nuu, I did... I did-en mean n' like that, man," she drawled, now
drinking her third ale, but it was apparent that she was nearly
incapable of speech. "I mean... I mean, uhhh you. Very pretty man."
She giggled obnoxiously, accidentally knocking over her drained
cup of ale over with her elbow, and it rolled around on the table
some. A burp then followed without her excusing herself.

"Guuuuuh. Half-breeds. Hoooyeah, bitch, and vampires. Hotness."

As odd as her words may have sounded, Sequoia might have
cared less. The crowded pub of sorts was loud anyway, so her
chances of being noticed with her loud mouth was slim. She
was positively drunk upon three ales, for her body was very
petite. To consume this much for her size was not a good thing
indeed.

However, once Sabir prepared to leave, Sequoia's jaw dropped
stupidly and she rose herself up so that she was standing upon
her knees. "Wait, dun go, I did.. did-en mean for you to go," she
moaned, swaying upon the spot. Attempting to lift her drunken
body from the table, she ambled her way towards Sabir.

"You make the coolest dolls, man..." Sequoia simply stood there
now, blinking stupidly at her table companion. Then suddenly,
closing her eyes, she fainted on the spot, falling with a heavy
thud upon the floor. Nobody seemed to have quite noticed nor
cared about her; those that did notice either walked over or shook
their heads down at her sprawling features.

[zury]

(crap...I messed up this post...I'll redo it later XD )

[Relairah]

Golden eyes flickered in the shadows. Longish dark brown hair
fell over those golden eyes, and a tall, dark figure rose from a
corner of the building. A mug of ale sat on the table beside him,
hardly touched at all. He glanced at it briefly, then up. Fingers
curled about the handle of the mug, lifting it to his lips
momentarily before letting the mug sit upon the table once more.
If someone else wanted it, they could have it... he didn't care.
He'd had all he wanted.

He had really been sitting there, simply going over thoughts in
his mind. Thoughts of everything that had been going on, and
what he had seen recently. He had done quite a bit of traveling,
and it seemed that these city lands and villages were always
becoming busier and more popular by the day. And every day, he
discovered more and more half-breeds. Despite how much the
humans hated them, they couldn't stop them. They were
simply part of life around here, and people just had to learn to
get over it. But that in itself was a problem.

Despite how loud the place was, he couldn't help but have his
attention drawn toward a certain table, not too far from where
he sat. He had been about to leave, but as he watched, he
began to become a bit intrigued. The girl that sat, talking so
much he was wondering where in her mind she came up with all
these things to say, was indeed a very pretty girl, and this
was no place for her... at least he did think so. But he made no
move toward the table to sit down or join them, simply continued
to watch from a near distance. He leaned back against the wall
slightly, hands going into the pockets of his long, black pants. But
then, the man stood, as though he were soon to leave. Not long
after, did the girl pass out on the floor.

In a swift and smooth manner, he moved away from the
shadows of the wall, black boots not much heard above the roar
of the crowd in there. He stepped toward the two he'd been
watching, standing first in front of Sabir, watching him a moment,
then bending down toward the girl. 'Yep, she's out, but she'll
probably not be like that for all too long... Damn, what got it in
her mind to just drink like that?' His thoughts simply floated
about his mind, yet to Sabir he spoke, after turning away from
the girl, his voice deep and smooth. "I think I'll take it from here."
His tone gave no request or suggestion... but was rather
commanding.

Not giving Sabir much of a chance for anything, he would precede
to pick up Sequoia in his muscular darkly tanned arms. ((please
correct me if I am powerplaying here... not really sure since she's
passed out o.0)) He sighed lightly, "Kids..." he muttered under
his breath even though he was one himself. He glanced at Sabir,
giving a slight grin, "I dunno if you want to tag along or not...
your choice." He was not intending to bring Sequoia anywhere
dangerous or any such place of the sort, but rather he simply
wanted to get her somewhere where she wasn't surrounded by
people, and had no more temptations of any sort of alchoholic
drink.

He began to move toward the building's exit, ignoring the people
who turned and watched, or said anything. Instead he simply
would tell them to move and continue. He didn't look to see if
Sabir were following-- although, he half-expeted him to. Afterall,
he was sure the other might be curious, and... there was
something else about him that he was curious on finding out.

[Relairah]

OoC: There ya go =3 *GLOMPS* XD

[zury]

[glow=red,3,000]~Sabir~[/glow]

Sabir was rather startled when the male came over to their table and proceeded to pick his table mate from his hold. That sent Sabir slightly on edge. Who was that man to be picking up a female whom, as far as Sabir knew, he did not know? Some part of his mind told him not to really be that bothered. After all, Sequoia was not his responsibility and that this man had just save him from having to bring a drunk woman home. At least he wouldn’t have to worry about Sequoia waking in his house and accusing him of doing something to her while she was intoxicated and passed out.

But the other half said that perhaps he should follow this curious male and stick around to see if Sequoia would be truly safe. He knew he was not much of a fighter, but he was also in his weak human form. In his Naga form however, it would not be as hard, especially when he had poisonous fangs on his side, just laying in wait in his gums to come out when they were needed.

“Who are you?” he questioned as they proceeded to head toward the exit of the tavern, his voice having to be a little loud to be heard over the dull roar that never ceased to be inside the small area. “And do you know this woman?” and more importantly, he thought to himself, what are you going to do with her? Perhaps if he needed to fight and could not go into Naga form, he could always throw the porcelain dolls at him. He had fairly good aim, he supposed and would maybe be able to stun the man and exit quickly with Sequoia before this man could do anything too damaging to him or the female that the man now held.

[Relairah]

A soft sigh escaped the lips of this man, who had so suddenly
entered the scene. He waited until they were out of the tavern
before speaking toward Sabir, first of all because of the constant
roar in there, he not wanting to yell. At last, stepping outside,
the door closing behind him, or Sabir as the other was following
him, he moved away slightly before glancing at the other. "No
one special," he said simply. He grinned slightly, "Sorry, if I gave
you a surprise, but you don't need to worry about her. She's safe
with me." He paused, glancing down at Sequoia. He could claim
to be her brother if he wanted to, and could escape with it if it
weren't for his golden eyes. He dismissed that idea and simply
finished with, "She's in good hands."

Sabir had no way of knowng whether he could trust this man or
not, however that was up to Sabir whether he would or not.
Then the other asked him another question. The truth: no he did
not know her. And he figured if he said he did that he'd be
questioned about her. Still.. he had learned a bit from the
conversation he'd been listening to, including her name. He
ignored the question. "I'll be taking her to my place over by the
coasts. You can tag along if you wish." He began to continue on
his way, yet turned his attention to Sabir as he did.

"Forgive me, my manners, I believe I should like to know your
name. If nothing else but for future reference. I'm Joseph, but I
guess you can call me Joe." He grinned slightly. "You?" His
attention was on Sequoia, to be sure he didn't drop her. Oh
what a mess that would be! However, she was quite light for
what he had expected when he first picked her up, and thus he
didn't worry all too much. "And also, do you live around here? Or
just visiting. You know these coasts are becoming more and
more popular lately." He hoped to strike a conversation.