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[Ricky]

Just shy after he rose to keep a pull on the fiery girl his ruby hued eyes looked sullenly on her, more or so based on the impression that he'd already struck a blow with his own action. Not that he cared for what they had to think, when those icy ices glared up to him he remained steadfast in his stance. She wasn't going to assail Aphina tonight, not if Enrick had the capacity to do keep it from happening at least. Sure enough her partner just as well made quiet but intense threats of burning them to ash, and somehow the reddened eyes brightened to a orange coloration when all eyes were on him.

Was he literally steaming? That had to be actual vapor rising from the surface of his skin, there was no questioning the authenticity of it when one observed closely. Enrick's hands fast loosened to release the girl as he quietly gulped at the sight, the return to his seat the next event to transpire as everyone at the table grew quiet. Sure enough the bartender had to check and make sure things were co-sure, and that nothing in particular was about to go down over here. Aphina seemed to be the one to thank for that, as she proved to schmooze and charm the man away shortly afterwards. When she returned and they started to resume their little dealt hand of cards, Enrick couldn't help but watch not just Aphina but the other two as well.

Eyes again in an array of transitioning colors he found association with orange and traces of magenta, but the colors of turquoise and silver seemed most prominent of the changes. Sure enough Aphina seemed to have a couple men here for her, likely to buy whatever product she had to sell. It then finally dawned on Enrick that... Aphina had to be dealing in drugs right about now. Here he was being blatantly observant of everyone else, yet he never once questioned the fact she was a dealer. Not even in this heightened state of mind he found clarity in. At first he'd begun to worry that Aphina was selling herself to the men, a thought that he pretended to avoid by holding his emptied mug of beer now. That rum certainly looked good to have.

With the empty mug held out near the girl he looked to her plainly, hopeful that she'd understand that he'd asked nicely for a bit of rum. In a general sense of speaking at least, no words may have parted from his lips but the intent seemed as simple as his expression. When she obliged him with a pour into his mug, he nodded quietly and mulled over how he should've felt over his recent observations. So Aphina was not only a feisty little sailor but she also had a tact for business as well apparently. That business however being illegal trade of substances, which were not only highly prohibited but dangerously addictive as well. Already Enrick found himself eyeing the untouched joint left in the middle of the table.

He really wanted another hit of that stuff. That was the drugs talking to him though, something he had to overcome with the comfort of alcohol. "Certainly not 'hero' lass." He remarked to the girl when she asked what his name was, before he took a brief swig of rum out of the mug. With a brief sigh at the sweetly flavored burn in his throat, he sat the mug back down with silver eyes curiously locked on her. "Enrick if y' must know. What 'bout y' and yer companion over t'ere? I'd image y' both 'ave names t' go by as well." He murmured with the mug raised to rest next to his temple, while Enrick himself seemed to relax into the chair a little better.

[Mercedes]

The Sorcerer pondered whether or not to send the vicinity up in flames, but rather than act recklessly he waited. The conversations carried on, and while the night had still been young the drama continued to unfold. The “hero” who stood up for the drug-trafficker seemed to be entirely too composed. Enrick wanted to keep the peace between the group; obviously that had not gone too well with Max. The man introduced himself, and then delivered a bold, interesting statement. Obviously Merces and Max had names too, but rather than relay her name first she asked for his. No matter who gave their introduction first, the conversation carried on with ease. The tension in the room practically ceased to exist all at once, and with a sigh Merces spoke aloud.

“My name is Mercy. “

The Sorcerer did not have loose lips, and talked no more than he needed to at any given moment. Obviously the boy sat at the table long enough to realize that Max had been his lover. Why did he become so concerned with the state of tension at the table? A multitude of thoughts crossed Merces mind simultaneously. Had he known about the amount of criminal activity Mercy took part in as a mercenary? Had Enrick understood that he was indeed a practitioner of magic, and did he need to be eliminated? Never before had The Sorcerer had to assess whether or not a person had truly been a threat to his own safety. However, in the case of the mysterious man who remained calm in the face of chaos and death-threats he needed to be analyzed.

In a moments notice, one of the employees had been right over, and DuCarnios spoke to him briefly. However, when she made a swift exit Mercy had been tempted to follow. Yet, if he did Max would more likely than not shadow him to the new location. The murderous duo had a tendency to leave burned bodies and puddles of blood in their wake. Mistakes were made by every single being on Idalos; whether or not they were human, animal, or anything of the sort. In this case however, mistakes were not something Merces could afford to make. As a man who casually murdered people; more often than not for fun he did not want to develop a reputation worse than he had already built. The game carried on, and Max stated that he made people nervous with his lack of alcohol.

He needed to be attentive, and needed the ability to make conscious decisions at all times. Why did she not understand that drugs, and spirits were not for everyone? Had Mercy been the only wise one in the crowd that did not elect to smoke the joint, or drink? People were foolish, but he supposed that he needed to be stupid in order to commune with the others.

“I don't know why being alert and ensuring that I am well aware of everything is a bad thing.” Merces spoke aloud and allowed his flaming gaze to explore the crowd. Whilst he did so; he partook in the poker game himself, and rather than allow everyone else the upper hand although he knew nothing about how the game worked. Merces elected to pick a randomly selected card from his hand, and plant it on the table.

Roll for outcome

[Freya DuCarinos]

Freya had been absent from the table for so long, she’d assumed that the party had dropped off by the time she returned downstairs. She must have been gone for at least thirty bits given the large order she’d satisfied. The Biqaj recognized a few faces within the crowd of the Four N’ Hand as they were some of the patrons that took a pool of her drug laced blunt. Her clientèle were certainly feeling the symptoms of the crash after the intense high of the Ambrosia. As such, some of them approached her begging for more in stuttered, mumbled sentences.
Having only a quarter of the block left, which wasn’t as much as one thought it would be, Freya had enough left for five blunts (one she was saving for herself), as well as five berries left.
Money and moral obligations battled her decisions on a daily basis. Thus, as the man pleaded, Freya patted him on the shoulder and shook her head. “This is nothing you should be getting addicted to right now. Go drink and enjoy that feeling.” She denied him, surprising them both. Removing her hand, Freya squared her shoulders and walked back to where she’d been seated before only this time, there were four left at the table. Hoping the tension would not be as thick as earlier, the woman ordered another round of shots then slid into her seat across from Enrick.
“Well, how do we feel now? Pretty good, I’m guessing?” Her accented voice asked with a small curl to her lips, looking from the woman still there to the man beside her. The glint of gold caught her eye as she noticed he’d won the pot from earlier. “Ah, must feel nice to win some extra coin, no?”
Freya regarded the other woman at the table now, “What are your names? Obviously you two are together. Come for business, pleasure, or both?” Finally, the server showed with the shots and set them by their respective patron. Freya took hers and downed it with a twist of her lips, sighing afterwards before flipping it up and placing the glass next to her. Golden eyes turned on Enrick who appeared out of it.
“Enrick, are you alright?”

OOC

Hey, I understand this is kind of short and will move the plot slower. Apologies in advance!

[Max]

Max rolled her eyes at Merces's matter-of-fact response. She could hardly argue with his logic. While his lifestyle, in this one particular instance, was smarter it certainly wasn't nearly as fun. Merces was a more literal walking powder keg. History had proven as much. An intoxicated defiance mage with a sensitive ego could've been a huge mistake indeed. She probably drank enough for the both of them most nights anyways.

"Max," the Rusalka introduced herself simply to the man with the curious silver eyes. Time and drink had seemed to calm her down since her fiery outburst. With a clearer mind and a bit more composure, she eyed Enrick curiously. Between the blunt and the rum, he seemed to be a fun, relatively kind person by her low standards. Her previous urge to strike him for his intervention had ebbed at the very least.

DuCarinos returned from her earlier disappearance without explanation, and with her arrived another round of fresh drinks. The gesture was enough to keep Max from prying about her mysterious behavior at least for a while. From what little she knew of the dealer, she was skilled in people pleasing. Little gestures that suggested respect often went farther than empty words seeking to echo the same sentiment. The dealers the Rusalka had hung out with weren't half as savvy. That alone made "Aphina" a peculiar enigma worthy of attention.

To the dealer's opening statement, Max gave an agreeable shrug. Whatever the new drug was that she'd been introduced to, it was like nothing she'd ever done before. She could only imagine how much more productive she could be if she used it the next morning. Would it kill the mental haziness that often came with a wretched hangover? There would only be one way to find out. She'd have to score more of the stuff later. No, soon. She picked up the shot and followed DuCarinos' lead, throwing the drink back and setting the empty glass upon the table.

"Max," she introduced herself again with the same simplicity. Her gaze flickered briefly toward Merces as she pondered over how exactly their predicament was best explained. Rather, what was too much to reveal. "We tend to live a lifestyle that always joins business and pleasure together." Now it was her turn to sit back in her chair, her entire demeanor more visibly relaxed now even in DuCarinos' presence. She crossed her arms, an index finger bouncing between the dealer and Enrick. "And what of the two of you? How do you know each other?" That mirthful twist of her lips from nearly a break earlier had returned. "Business or pleasure?"

Boxcode Credit: Poppy

[Ricky]

The quieter and probably more violent of the pair seemed to introduce himself with a name, though possibly not as fitting as a noun, with the introduction rather plain as it was sound. Mercy. It wasn't going to be a name Enrick would forget anytime soon apparently, granted these two were certainly a unpredictable pair.

Max or as she introduced herself as afterwards seemed already the type best fitted as a wild card, so the fact this Mercy character intimidated her to silence already spoke volumes of his own attitude. Enrick remained visibly calm and pretty much indifferent after the little bout that occurred, though his eyes started to lessen their constant change as the kaleidoscope effect wore away. What used to be a shifting arrangement of colors now seemed to remain one steadfast color, that being the dulled down hazel eyes he had when he was usually content. Usually. It was probably because he felt well elevated earlier, and now on the verge of a come down that'd soon hit him. Hard.

Whatever that stuff was Aphina had, it definitely seemed quite addictive to those that didn't suspect it to be so. To subject himself to that sort predicament was far unlike him, and thus Enrick seemed furthermore quiet as his eyes remained on the table. Aphina's return had been greeted with a soft smile Enrick forced briefly, his attention shifted back to the table as well as the cards instead. He was getting over analytical even as the stuff wore off, something that made him slightly uncomfortable as the color orange slowly filled his iris's.

"Just friend's is all." He chimed in with a glance to Aphina when he heard Max inquire on their relationship, although part of him had the intent on not answering at all. Not that he didn't feel like advertising personal affairs or business to a couple of strangers, but overall his situation felt entirely unremarkable now that he was on a heavy come down. While he could've very well and easily asked for an offer for more, Enrick knew he needed to be headstrong and avoid the stuff.

That was when Aphina inquired as to whether or not he seemed okay, a question that while he felt puzzled over deep down... proved best answered with another forced grin. "Yeah." He remarked to the girl as their cards were being dealt. "Just tired all o' a sudden." With his mug then raised for another drink Enrick watched for another brief period, a shake of his head to confirm he didn't wish to partake in a gambling situation.

Cards were never his thing since he never had a clean poker face, and while he would've enjoyed the chance earlier he definitely felt better off just watching now. Thus he did. He watched as the game played out and mainly stuck around for the conversation that lingered, curious to find out what sort of people he suddenly found himself hanging around with.

[Freya DuCarinos]

Freya’s lips curled into a devious smile as she laid eyes upon the storm of a woman, then shifted those molten-gold orbs to Enrick who was attempting to look unphased by the crash he was experiencing. It was slow to take affect, the drug still winding its way throughout his system, but it was nearly done for the both of them. They each tried to play it off coolly but Freya was used to the subtle tells of those that had experience with drugs. They would relax into the feeling, denying the fact that they’d need the drug and then, once it escaped from their bodies, they’d seek out that same high obsessively until they either obtained what they yearned for or were forced to leave it behind them. And while Freya had made a profit with the drugs she’d sold, there was no harm in persuading more coin into her pockets.
Leaning in close to the two, Freya’s smile only grew as her eyes spelled deviousness to the both of them before her foreign voice spoke up. “I know what you both want.”
Her voice was low, guarded, as her head lifted to examine the area. One could never be too sure who was listening in, especially to nefarious activities like selling drugs with public view. Then she dipped back down and leaned across the table just enough to keep the conversation private between Max, Enrick, and she. Tucking a hand into her pocket, the drug smuggler pulled forth from it several thin sheets of parchment like paper and a rag that, when undone, showed the carmel color of the Ambrosia they’d smoked. She took care to take a dollop from the left over drug with her finger, smearing it against the thin sheet of parchment before finally, rolling it up and licking it closed with a twist to the ends of it. The smile on her lips never left as she used the candle at the table to light the blunt, only to suck in the smoke herself and let it out with a sigh.
“It’s a drug commonly known in the west as Ambrosia and it’s highly addictive to those that have no experience with a drug like this…” Her eyes glided to Enrick’s. “Lots of… beginners tend to burn themselves out on it, quite literally. The drug allows you to reach a new level of awareness… of focus and control. You’re able to do more, think more, feel more, be more… but it comes at a price. As with everything.”
She took another hit from the blunt and groaned, smoke curling from her nostrils like tempting white serpents until her head dropped back and she allowed the remaining smoke in her lungs to fill the air above her.
“You both have taken a hit, maybe two… One of these joints will keep you awake for days with enough energy and focus to accomplish those feats you haven’t yet been able to. So, what do you say? Care to dabble in the darker things in life?” She waited for the both of them to make up their minds before giving her price. “One blunt for ninety gold nel…”

[Mercedes]

Mercy watched cautiously as the remainder of the patrons in the area seemed to be interested in the activities that took place at their table. The character called by the name of Enrick seemed interesting enough. Although, he obviously did not life the same chaotic lifestyle as the criminal duo he sat across from. Unlike them; he was mild tempered, and did not have any explosive tendencies in the same fashion that Merces did. He appeared to have lost himself following the effects of the drug given to him by freya. Exactly what did she offer him and Max? Why did the two make the foolish choice to take something offered to them by a stranger? She was beautiful, intellectual, and obviously did far more than she would have appeared to at first glance. This Aphina character became more interesting by the trill, but Merces needed to get away from Max so that he could ask her a question. Although they typically went together no matter where they went; Merces did not have to offer her the chance.

In their relationship he was the dominant one, and he controlled the outcome of everything that took place. She existed alongside him to make sure that melee combatants could not destroy him at a close range. In this case; she had already been high off drugs, and Merces did not need a useless bodyguard at his side. Therefore he made a bold move, and looked directly to Aphina, and then to Max. The sorcerer parted his lips as to speak for only a moment. “Max, you will remain here. I am going to have a word with her, alone. Neither of you will intervene, and you..” Merces looked to Aphina, with an inviting smile upon his visage. “Have no choice nor say in this. Come with me. Merces spoke as to interject her ability to sell drugs to Max and Enrick simultaneously.

He did not care whether or not they purchased the drugs for continual use. However, what Merces did care about was the ability to work alongside a woman like her. With his momentary speech the sorcerer stood and walked to the opposite side of the table. He extended a hand toward her as to assist her in joining him for a moment. If she chose to take his hand; he would escort her out of the building, and have a brief conversation with her outside the realm of chaos inside. He needed to talk with her in regards to a partnership. The moment had been perfect; Max certainly would not disobey an order given by Merces. She knew the consequences would be severe if she had, but she certainly reserved every right to question him about his actions at a later time. He awaited a response with patience, but if she chose not to accept his offer; he may choose to set ablaze the entire area. Thus, Merces made it known how little options she had.

In a hushed tone he spoke. “If you do not get up right this instant.. You will lose an incredibly valuable opportunity. Do not tempt me, nor make my motherfucking day by defying me. I Love the rowdy ones, and you're lucky to have interested me enough to want to talk to you. I will make you an offer so grand that you cannot refuse.” He spoke directly to Aphina, and hoped that she would understand just how serious he was.

[Max]

Just friends. Of course.

Max grinned privately to herself. Her eyes involuntarily wandered down to the snuffed blunt, pupils dilating in the slightest the moment her vision fixated on the stuff. She could feel that higher level of focus beginning to wane. The anxiety of the fall began to set in slowly. Something within her craved the return to the summit of the high, scratching and clawing desperately as though it were possible to make the climb through sheer force of will. While Enrick was plagued by discomfort, Max was finding herself tasting the first drop of an insatiable desire. The dealer played to the whisper she knew to already tempt the Rusalka.

Maxine tore her eyes reluctantly from the blunt to find DuCarinos' face. This wasn't her first time running with this sort of crowd. She knew what was coming next, and the cautious prairie-dogging to ensure no authority lingered confirmed her suspicions before the inevitable offer was made. Her body language mirrored the dealer's as she leaned into the table as well. Caramel eyes fixed on the woman's hand as it disappeared into a pocket only to retrieve what her body and mind craved. Absently, she rubbed the knuckles of her right hand into her left palm as she watched the process; a jealousy tightening her stare as she watched the end of the joint catch fire.

Max leaned back against her chair with a knit brow. The moment the smell of the smoke reached her, her foot began to quietly tap beneath the table. Quickly, she became as fixated on Aphina's words as she was on restraining the urge to snatch the joint from the dealer's fingers. Addictive. She couldn't say she was surprised to learn that fact. What impressed her was the validation that her most preliminary experience with the substance wasn't a farce. There was an upper mental tier to be reached. Better. More focus and control. If a couple hits had put her in a state of such intense clarity, what could a whole joint do?

One look at her life and it was painfully obvious she had nothing to lose. Frankly, she didn't have much. Just Merces. The Kennel had cast them out and the job hunt in Scalvoris Town had been fruitless thus far. If it were true that this Ambrosia drug could take her to the next level, she considered the consequences a small price to pay in return for better fortune. She wasn't a rookie when it came to using. Besides, she wasn't going to get hooked. Not her. If Max were being honest with herself, she'd always been a booze hound with the occasional habit of crossfading with Bug Berries now and then. She guessed she'd probably smoke up Ambrosia a few times while she had the supply and it would fade from memory.

"Alright, Aphina," Max conceded, nearly scoffing at the woman's finishing line intended to hook them. She didn't just dabble in darker things. They'd become a habit in her lifestyle. "I'll play." The Mixed Race took her coin pouch from her pocket and set it on the table, her hand remaining like a claw over it. "Three blunts. Two hundred and forty gold nel." She arched a questioning, albeit hopeful, brow toward the Biqaj. Much to her visible irritation, however, Merces had interrupted the sale with business of his own. He addressed her for the purpose of giving strict orders. Begrudgingly, she slipped her coin pouch back into her pocket with a dark expression. When her hands returned to rest on the table they were tight fists.

"Take too long..." she began her warning, her words directed toward Merces but her gaze was suspiciously upon the dealer. "And you'll be quickly reminded just how limited your power over me is becoming, Merces." Purposelessness was beginning to turn her into a bitter woman indeed. It certainly helped the mage little that the loss of what purpose she once had, had been vanquished by his great idea of betraying The Kennel and the Merchant's Guild. She'd never forget it. "I'd go if I were you," Maxine suggested lowly to the dealer with a harsh expression that suggested more than she was saying. "But do hurry back. We have a deal to seal."

With that she crossed her hands impatiently over her chest. Her attention turned to Enrick, lips twitching in teasing mirth. "Fifty-fifty chance she comes back."

Boxcode Credit: Poppy

[Ricky]

It became clearly evident that the drug they had indulged in started to wear off, not just because Enrick's own eyes lulled to the hues of lilac either. Whatever that stuff was that Aphina had shared with them seemed to be addictive, so addictive that the fisherman found himself already in need of more. "Shyte..." He quietly thought to himself with eyes slightly narrowed just at the table's center, his mind in a slow daze that kept him mostly occupied from the current conversation. That is until Aphina herself made it clear to invoke their attention, simply by pitching the idea of buying what Enrick clearly lacked.

Ambrosia. Enrick wasn't usually crazy over drugs but that was by choice, and now it became increasingly clear as to why that was. Even now when he watched the dealer roll another joint, the machinations of urgent cravings begged for him to indulge a little more. Almost immediately he leaned in with piqued interest of the substance, his eyes still weary as they watched Aphina work her magic on both him and Maxine. He wanted one. Badly. The damned woman was a hell of a spokesperson for sure, smilingly consistently as she showed off another sample of the substance.

The fisherman himself felt his mouth suddenly dry up, a predicament to match the usual desire found with a craving. So this was the life of a drug addict. Spending every waking moment earnestly craving the next high, wondering just what price you had to pay to get it. At first he considered it but then finally, when the price of ninety gold nel was mentioned for just one blunt he cringed. That was too steep of a price for someone of his stature to pay, particularly when Enrick had things to consider and his wallet not as generous as he wanted. It was then when the fisherman sank back into his chair, he merely shook his head with a shrug as he would just have to suffer the withdrawal.

Probably for the best. Yet just when he accepted his fate it seemed that Merces had reason to speak with her privately, Enrick sat there and watched vaguely intrigued by the gravity of tone in the two. Both Merces and Max were such serious individuals, so possessive over one another and yet inconsistent also. Were they a couple? If they really were then they were a destructive couple, considering they showed little regard for boundaries with one another. Even then Enrick merely sat there half dazed from the withdrawal, a smirk on his face as Maxine seemed pretty invested in the deal. Once the two left together she naturally proceeded to comment, and in doing so incited a bet that Enrick felt comfortable making.

"Bet one a tem blunts yer buyin' she does." He pitched with the smirk curved a little higher, curious to see if Maxine would take him up on it.

[Kasoria]

Review Rewards

Points: 15XP awarded to each of you

Maxine

• Discipline: Knowing When to Stand Down
• Intimidation: Reminding One of Their Place
• Intimidation: Reminding A Powerful Person of Their Limited Influence
• Negotiation: Counter Offering
• Resistance: Ambrosia Clears and Focuses the Mind
• Resistance: Ambrosia Addiction
• Resistance: Mixing Alcohol and Ambrosia
• Resistance: Battling Effects of Ambrosia Addiction
• Tactics: Baiting a Subject with Mockery
• Tactics: Close Distance After a Ranged Attack

Enrick

• Stealth: Avoiding Groups At Your Own Disclosure
• Resistance: Ambrosia Addiction
• Resistance: Mixing Alcohol and Ambrosia
• Resistance: Battling Effects of Ambrosia Addiction
• Meditation: Observing Your Environment When You're High
• Gambling: Making Bets on Any Situation

• Drug: Ambrosia and it's Effects
• Drug: Ambrosia is Highly Addictive
• Drug: Ambrosia is Smoked like Tobacco
• Maxine: A Temperamentally Wild Woman
• Mercy: A Threatening Merc

Renown: 5 points awarded to each of you, for causing a ruckus with people you don't ruck with

Notes:
Well, this was... different! First time I've seen the mechanics and plotline of a nearly-bar-brawl so well-documented! I liked how Enrick was the peacemaker here, trying his best to be all Auld Oireland charm and calming everyone down, in direct opposition to Spitfire Maxine. Shame that the other half of the story vanished, because this could have gone somewhere...

Oh! And I didn't even know Resistance was a thing! So, thanks for THAT, too!

Your review request is here. Also, please indicate on your request thread that this has been reviewed by using the button below (just add my name at the end). Thanks!

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