His eyes screwed shut, Anos downed the glass of milk almost immediately. The cool, refreshing taste made him sigh with relief, wiping away the small mustache and dribbles along his chin that his haste had earned him.
The milk seemed to soothe the roiling in his stomach a bit as well, though food would still be well appreciated. He grinned at Soren and shook his head somewhat ruefully.
"Not man enough to try it again any time soon, that much I can tell you." But by that point he had already overheard another young man, probably four arcs younger than Anos himself, ordering the same thing. It was sure to go around the bar like a wildfire, and Anos agreed to the Shepard's pie. Another few coins slid across the bar top, and he settled himself down to watch with amusement as several young men tried their best to control their reactions. One even went so far as to cough and say "It hain't so bad," as tears coursed down his face, to a general murmur of laughter.
Happy to watch, Anos turned at Soren's question and nodded, gesturing towards his now empty glass.
"Another two fingers, if you please. As for this monster," he said cheerfully rustling the owls feathers, which earned him a scowl. "I found him when I was barely a teen. Mother was killed, along with his siblings, but I've raised him well enough since and he seems to be happy to stick around for now."
The bird in question had hopped back down and had pecked at the cactus remains in his glass with no apparent ill effect. It was apparently perfect timing as a small tree-folk had just approached, the same one who had first interested Anos in the exotic drink, though he now sported a set of thorns amd an unbloomed flower bud.
Anos half stood and bowed to the small creature in return, smile broad across his earnest face. He didn't notice the people he jostled as he did so, nor their slightly annoyed looks. Thankfully the atmosphere was celebratory and relaxed, and they soon melded back into the crowd.
"Well met, Chip. I'm impressed with how you handled that drink of yours- gave me a kicking I won'tsoon forget." Even as he spoke, his tongue felt tender and raw.
Cassander, distracted by the tree man again, turned and chirped something back, though Anos knew not what. He hopped his way over and rubbed his head against the Tunawa with enough force to knock over the unwary. Content that his owl was going to behave now, Anos took a sip of his drink and extended it towards the Tunawa.
"It only seems fair that I give you a taste of my own preferred drink," He said.
Anos was feeling happy, the buzz of conversation a comforting feeling in the cozy tavern. He didn't feel as though he had to know everyone- his arcs of travel had finally beaten that trait from him, and the inn was well run and clean.
The smells coming from the kitchen were enough to make his mouth water and he could hardly wait.
