Barflies and Brawlers (Sometimes Club)

Riverdale, Stubb, Angus, Rentha, Ben, Jocosa, Hactor, Lier, Flicktail, Tux, Rus, Unspoken, Logan

Sagebrush Inn: Common Room
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The common room is the center of activity for the inn, perpetually bursting with
life, alive at all times with singing and drinking and merrymaking and all the
attendant smells and sounds.  Four sturdy oak tables dominate the large but
stuffy room, built with the single-minded purpose of longevity.  These long
wooden structures, and their accompanying benches, set the tone for the room,
because while they are not ornate, not fashioned with beauty in mind, the nicks
and marks down its old surface exude character.  Each chink and chip, each
sullied corner or patched-up leg bears witness to the ages that the inn has
traversed.  A bar fills the west side of the room, and in more or less the
center of everything is an open space on the floor.  On one wall is a message
board, for anybeast to make an announcement.
The smell of cheap ale and smoke clings perpetually to the stuffy air here, as
much a part of the environment here as anything, not unpleasant, but always
present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Exits:
                 [B]ack [R]oom, [EH] Entrance Hall, [K] Kitchen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contents:
The (Message Board) - +help Message Board

The last fingers of sunlight trace their golden hue in lines across the eastern wall of the large common room, ushering in the business and revelry of another night at Sagebrush Inn. Riverdale, the elderly proprietor, scurries anxiously about, checking tables, bowing courteously to his customers, be they dapper or dour, and generally making certain that all is running smoothly. A humid wind blows in through the open window, carrying in the smells of a late summer in Mossflower, and, faintly, of leaves burning far away.

Stubb is already here, small eyes twitching, nose sniffling with nervous energy. He nurses a stale beer on the bar before him and looks now and again at the barmaid. Otherwise, he keeps his eyes and thoughts to himself.

Angus is definitely on the dour end of the patron spectrum. The lizard is at the bar, crouched upon a stool that is uncomfortably small. His head is low, brows knitted, eyes glued to a parcel that sits on the counter in front of him. It is unclear what the sack, stuffed with what looks to be straw and cloth, holds, but it has the lizard quite captivated.

Rentha sits at the far end of the bar, cowl slung over his head; In front of him is a tankard of beer. He doesn't look up at all, sipping his drink and keeping a low profile for the moment.

Stubb's gaze drifts slightly to the side, taking in his fellow barflies. He grimaces and turns back to his drink. The conversation is better, anyway. With a casual tip of the mug, he finishes off the amber liquid with the hint of a grimace.

Taking a tentative step into the common room the tallish mouse is followed quickly by his wife. Ben looking about and watching the gathering of beast, somewhat unsure but looks to his wife with a slight smile, "Eh, you did say you wanted something to drink right Jo?" He hrms to himself, his attention shifting back to the assortment of beast gathered.

Riverdale scurries about, light on his paws despite a limp, not entirely sure what to do with himself now that his establishment has what might be termed /regulars/. His ears twitch at Ben and Jocosa's entrance, and his look of worry is replaced with one of relief. Finally, some civil company! "Ah, ahoho, hello, hello! Ah, welcome!" He clasps his paws and moves in their direction.

Hactor entered the common room very tired and very thirsty from his long journey. He sits at the bar and orders an ale. He is surprised by the large amount of beasts in the building.

Perhaps reminded by the inevitable clinks and clamor of the bar, Angus realizes that, apart from the parcel, there is an ale in front of him. Cautiously removing his gaze from the pack, the lizard grips his mug. A bifurcated tongue creeps forth and flits at the bubbly contents, testing the brew. His savoring is interrupted as Hactor plops down next to him. Eyes slit, then shoot to the bag in front of him, then back to the tod. Not much of a threat, the behemoth decides, and returns to slurping at his drink.

Jocosa dips her head. "Wine. Please." She grins, pecks Ben on the cheek, and is about to leave him to do the ordering, deciding to pick out a table, but finds that they're being headed off by a scurrying Riverdale. She pauses then, and smiles. "Hello."

Stubb's attention is caught by the movement of Angus' flickering tongue. He shivers in disgust, then, after a beat, raises a paw to order another drink.

Rentha turns his head for a moment to check out the new people. Noticing the others and the fox he cautiously angles himself for a better view of the room.

Hactor guzzles down half the ale in his pint and sighs heavily enjoying the ale.

Riverdale smiles, then blinks at Jocosa's remark. "Ah... wine? You, ah, yes of course, of course." He offers the couple a shallow bow, then gestures to a table at what is, for the moment, the reputable area of the room. "I must say, you, ah. You look terribly familiar. But where are my manners?" he adds hurriedly, and rather unnecessarily. "I'll, ah, go see about that wine."

Angus would drink like a civilized beast if he put his mind to it, but he is distracted tonight. As the room begins to whirl with commotion, the lizard becomes a bit uneasy. His gaze switches among his precious parcel and various patrons of the bar, giving each a stone cold once-over. He lingers on Stubb, and flickers his tongue at the grimacing weasel.

Hactor notices the lizard next to him looking nervous. He wonders why, bu then notices the parcel he has. The old fox wondered what could be in it.

Stubb snorts, intercepting some snatch of Riverdale's hectic monologue. "Amateur," he spits, before raising his replenished beverage to a hirsute lip. He looks beadily out across the frosted rim and sees Angus's stare. "Eh? 'The hell you want?"

Lier pads into the common room swiftly and purposefully. He holds his gaze straight ahead as if he is too busy to be bothered by any other distractions. However, soon enough his steps falter near the center of the room, where he pauses to gaze about briefly.

Hactor sits back and drinks his ale watching these events with a mixture of amusement and nervousness. He keeps one hand close to his sword just in case.

Ben smiles and greets Riverdale in return, moving to stand with his wife after she's stepped forward. His arm going about her, "Ah, that'd be lovely, thanks, " Seeing Jocosa seated, he moves to seat himself as he takes Riverdale's question, "Eh?" Blinking and looking harder at the squirrel, "Ah, yes, I believe you were at the pawfasting of those two foxes?" Standing for the moment as he answers.

Angus, primarily focused on unnerving the weasel, fails to catch Hactor's curious peek. Probably a good thing, lest the fox become the subject of his fury. "Watcha' lookin' at, weasel?" is his short response to Stubb--not a very good comeback. But, then again, when you're absolutely huge .. you don't really need them. Veins and muscles visibly tense beneath his scaly flesh, and Angus raises his head to full height.

Riverdale moves quickly off to the kitchen, barely acknowledging Ben's response in his frenzy.

Riverdale enters the kitchen.

Riverdale has left.

Lier raises an eyebrow at the emotions seemingly running high at the bar. However, he seems to make up his mind and proceeds over. He stands next to the edge of the bar expectantly, hoping to get the barmaid's attention, his posture a little awkward.

Jocosa is seated and nods, pleased to the departing Riverdale, before gazes around curiously. "What an intriguing place," Jo' comments to her husband "There's more people here than that last pub you took me too." She doesn't seem very frightened. The somewhat sheltered mouse finding the mix of beasts to be very interesting.

Stubb's narrow shoulders and gawky limbs bear testament to the fact that he's not usually the confrontational type. But the influence of beer and impending darkness can have curious effects, and he rises to his feet. Just then, his attention is drawn to Lier's approach, and all the heat dissipates. Stubb returns to his seat, shooting a cockeyed look at the fox, his mouth open ever so slightly: the image of inebriation.

Lier clears his throat, raises a claw and waves it a little since the barmaid still hasn't noticed him. At least the room is not very loud. When he finally gets her attention, he gives his order in a relatively quiet voice. "A bourbon neat, please; keep the tab open."

Rentha tips back his pint of ale, revealing a slightly graying muzzle before setting the tankard back down with a slight thud. He motions to the barmaid and orders another pint.

Hactor walks over to the weasel and says, "I take it you and the reptile don't get along eh?"

Lier glances over at Stubb while the barmaid is getting his drink, but quickly averts his gaze when he realizes that Stubb is looking at him.

Angus lets the situation go. His eyes follow Stubb, but break away and return to the pack on the bar in front of him. The lizard leans in close, fluttering his tongue against the canvas, then cranes back. A hand idly reaches for his mug, which is drawn up to his lips and sipped of in a more acceptable fashion this time. No amount of adjustment can make this stool pleasant for the reptile, so, with a giant sigh, the beast rises to stand. Now he is hunched, as if the barkeep might oust him, having learned the lizard's true size. Doubtful, but the brute certainly takes up more space than he's paid for at this point.

Ben only half hears Jocosa, his eyes and attention also drawn to his surrounding, "Ah, indeed, " He eyes the monitor lizard especially, though trying not to stare. Not polite and all that. Still, he manages to turn his full attention back on Jocosa and smiles somewhat sheepishly, "Eh, sorry, yes quiet an interesting place we've found here and I suppose we don't get out as much as we used to? Not too wary from the trip?"

Stubb pulls his head back at Hactor's approach and nearly tumbles off his stool. "Eh? 'Im?" he burps, steadying himself against the bar. "'Im an' me..." he struggles to form a sentence. "Nah, 'e keeps to 'isself. Me," he thumbs his chest rather too sharply. "I keep to m'self. 'Sides, 'e wou'nt dare try nuffin' wi' me." He wobbles. "An' 'oo the 'ell are you?"

Lier makes an annoyed grimace and a barely audible tut at the drunkard. He turns to take his drink from the barmaid and gives it an experimental sip.

Hactor chuckles grimly and replies, "I'm Hactor. And am I ta call you master Drunkard then or do you have a name?"

Stubb snorts. "Y'can caw me what you loik, mate. I caw m'self Stubb." He drops the display of bravado for a moment to acknowledge the introduction. "Noice t'meet you Hac-tor," he says in a very deliberate fashion, then flashes a strange, gap-toothed grin.

Riverdale arrives from the kitchen through the swinging door.

Riverdale has arrived.

Deciding that his standoffishness could be a bit uncalled for, Angus lowers his guard. The leathery beast glances around, as if building up courage, then lifts a finger to the barmaid. "A shot, please, madame," he croaks, and she promptly delivers. A small glass of thick amber liquid is quickly thrown back, and the lizard sharply exhales through his teeth. Then he looks to the other patrons, scooping up his parcel from the bar, and migrates toward Lier. He stands beside the fox, still ogling Stubb from the corner of his eye, ".. didn't think this joint'd get so rowdy," he comments to the tod, idly.

Jocosa shakes her head. "No no. I'm quite alright." She blinks a little, gaze catching giant lizard. Her eyes widen. "Um. Well." And she turns back to the table. "I guess this is a... traveller's stop or something. Quite exotic." Again, more excited curiosity than fear.

Riverdale slips back in from the kitchen, bearing two mismatched glasses of wine, the bulb of one in his paw, the stem of the other clasped in the crook of his arm. His left paw holds a cane, which he uses to steady himself as he navigates the increasingly busy common room.

Lier grins and murmurs back at the monitor lizard, "Yes, that would have been a bit more excitement than I had planned for this evening."

Hactor in turn gives an equally unpleasant grin to Stubb. He then hears a croaking voic and turnes to the monitor lizard saying, "Yes. Very crowded, which is welcome to me. I've been travllin a long and warry mile from up north with no one for company besides this." He pointed to his sword

Riverdale arrives before Jocosa and Ben. He very gently sets down the glasses, one at a time. "There we are," he smiles.

Lier takes another sip from the bourbon and looks down at the glass, considering it for a minute. "Not bad," he mutters under his breath.

Riverdale's head twitches in the direction of Hactor's sword. He's developing a six sense for these things. Seeing no danger, though, he returns his attention to the couple.

"Aye," Angus replies, gingerly lowering his pack to a nearby stool. One hand remains fixed to the thing, ensuring that it does not tumble to the floor. When Hactor speaks, the lizard snaps his head to look; the action seems to make him a bit dizzy. He wobbles, but manages to blurt, "Long and wary--yup. Sounds like the consensus tonight. And no company," the words trail off. His eyes slip to the parcel, their gaze softening ever-so slightly, "Well. Some company, maybe."

Rentha waits patiently, and when the barmaid returns with a pint of ale, he takes it. Muttering softly under his breath about the speed of drink orders when their are many beasts, he returns to sipping his drink. Then he flips his cowl up to get a good luck at what's going on around him.

Stubb shrugs histrionically. "Ah, well. 'Oo needs cahm-pny anyways?" He means it dismissively, but then he appears to mull the question for a couple of somber moments.

Stubb shrugs again after a beat, then it's bottoms up.

Hactor sips at his ale asking no one in particular, "Anyone know where one can find vermin looking for work?"

Lier's eyes widen slightly when he sees Angus touch his pack. With a free paw, he reaches for his satchel and pats one of the pockets. Evidently he finds what he was looking for as he relaxes a little afterward. "Do you travel often?"

Angus glances to Lier's glass, a broad smile splitting his face. His tongue flits, as if to double-check his assumption. "A bourbon fan, are ye', lad?" the lizard asks. "'Ave ye' tried the brew they got from the idle to the West? It's divine." With that, the reptile has ordered a shot for each of them. They arrive unceremoniously, as Angus lifts one and scoots the other to the fox. "No," is his blunt response. "Times just went tough, yaknow." His gaze wanders to the parcel momentarily, then return to his barchum. "Cheers?" The shot is lifted a bit higher, encouraging Lier.

Hactor nods saying, "When you live as far north as I do travel becomes... lucrative."

Lier laughs, "I don't often down the stuff just like that!" But he lifts the shot glass gamely, "Bottoms up, then."

"You can still savor it!" Angus clips before sucking back the shot. He holds it in his mouth, until his gums tingle and tongue is on fire, then swallows. His mighty head whips from side to side, and the creature bellows, "Yowza!"

Stubb's ear catches Hactor's inquiry. "Eh? Lookin' f'r work? No' sure 'bout 'work'. If it's vermin lookin f'r coin yer after, well," he smiles, "--let's just say y'won't be havin' too much of a bother there."

With that, Lier pours the contents of the shot glass down his gullet. He sets the glass down on the counter and looks at Angus with a mixture of amusement and pain on his face. The tod coughs and splutters while laughing at himself, "I think my throat just caught on fire."

Hactor grinned at the weasel and said, "Well this work aint for the faint of heart my friend."

Still trying to take in his surroundings, Ben catches movement in his right eye as Riverdale begins his return back to the kitchen. Smiling broadly at the squirrel, eyeing the glasses with slight disapproval but finding himself thirsty, "Thank you, " He looks across to his wife, still slightly overwhelmed by the activity about the common room.

Stubb smirks, "Ah. Shame." He polishes off the last of his beer.

Hactor raises his glass and drains the contents. He then said rather loudly, "Well this work will prove to benefit those who help in the long run."

Angus grins to Lier. "That means ye' did it right! 'Cept hold in your mouth for longer. Makes it go numb--'skind of fun like that." Then he snatches up his bag and plops on the stool it formerly occupied, resting the bag in his lap. Quite warmed by the drink, the lizard gazes listlessly over the room. He spies the mouse couple, and gives Lier a friendly elbow-jab as he mutters, "Bet those two weren't expectin' a crowd like this tonight. Moreso than the rest o' us wayward travelers."

A cool breeze drifts in, and the window raps lazily against the wall. Outside, ancient Mossflower trees rise as dark shapes against the indigo night sky. Riverdale mutters a word of apology and scampers from lamp to lamp, stoking each in turn.

Hactor yawns and askes, "Who do I see about lodgings for tha night?"

Rentha glances out at the stars for a moment, a slight curl of a smile sliding up his face. All too quickly, it disappears again. "Looks like it's getting a little dark." he mutters softly.

Lier claps a paw on Angus's forearm momentarily and grins, feeling the warmth spread from his throat and to the center of his chest and outward from there to the rest of his body. "Yer right, mate, but that's half the fun of traveling." He glances at the empty glasses on the bar. "Tell you the truth, I'm new to the bourbon world, as it were. A good friend of mine introduced me to the drink only a month or so ago."

"Thankyou sir." Jocosa eyes the wine with approval, smiling politely to the squirrel, and then blinks slightly surprised as he scurries away apologising. "Why was he sorry?" She asks Ben, confused, as she takes her drink to paw, then sips. "Mm.. Pleasant." The mousemaid praises it.

"Ah, roight. Th' 'long run'," Stubb says a tad too maliciously. "Oi've 'eard so much abou' it, an' it's the one thing I don' believe in. Oi believe in today. Oi believe in tomorr'. An' that'sh it." He sweeps a paw wildly to demonstrate. "'Oo's that chap talkin' to?" he barks suddenly, pointing at Rentha.

Riverdale concludes the business of fixing the lamps and approaches the bar. "Ah... did someone ask about lodging?" He looks around agreeably.

Angus beams proudly. "I, sir, am a veteran--I shall be your guide!" With that, another two shots are requested and supplied. The lizard isn't as hasty to swoop his up this time; he allows it to sit, as if reveling in the knowledge that it is there when he wants it. "So what brings ye' here, pally?" he inquires.

Hactor grimaces at the weasel but then hears a voice mention lodgings, "I did sar," he replied.

Lier laughs at the two new shots, "There's no hurry, mate, the night's still early!" but he takes a sip from his regardless. "Oh, I'm heading back from a big guild meeting. You?"

Rentha turns his head toward Stubb, "No one in particular, myself, the room, etc." he says to the weasel.

"Ah, apologizing for the breeze I believe, " Craning his head to follow the squirrels scampering, "Least the laterns leave us in the dark, " He doesn't catch the lizards glaze, excited really at the gathering. As Hactor mentions lodgings his ears perk, half listening as he refocuses his attention on Jo, "Try the wine then, anything else you wan'ted dearie?"

Riverdale bows. "Yes, ah, yes, sir. We offer very reasonable prices. If you'd just, ah, inquire in the front..." He points back toward the entrance.

Hactor nods at the squirrel and replied, "Well I shall inquire after another ale my chap." He rased his empty mug.

"Tha room! 'Oo the 'ell ta'ks to a room, eh?" Stubb's increasing belligerence is leavened a bit by his comical appearance. Even while sitting, he sways to and fro, clearly posing a threat to nobeast.

"...Oh, I see." The mousemaid nods, understanding the apologising, perhaps, or at least making out that she does. She considers the next question, eyeing her husband's ears perking, but rather missing the talk of lodgings. "Hm. Well, we did travel a way today, so I guess I'm quite hungry..."

Angus's reply is short. "Trouble at home." At that, the lizard abandons patience and disappears his shot in one graceful swoop. He then is somewhat quiet, gazing again at the mouse couple. It isn't a predatory stare--more sad than anything.

Rentha looks slightly offended at the weasel's reply. "I do, in fact. Not all the time, just in freer moments."

Lier nods sympathetically and glances over at the couple along with Angus.

Riverdale parts company with Hactor and goes back to circulating...

Riverdale returns to Ben and Jocosa. "Pardon me, hope I'm not, ah... That is, we do have food, if you'd like. All the seasonal, ah, favorites? Please do give a shout if you need... Ah, what are you names again, then?"

Hactor rather discussted with the weasel returned to the bar and began sipping on another ale.

A soldier [Tux] walks in, looking hot and sweaty in heavy armor. He coughs, and catches his breath after what seems like a long hike. He sniffs a bit, wiping his nose, and enters - otherwise inconspicuous - into the main area, taking a seat. He notices the barmaid and he winks, when she glances at him for roughly a second and a half. The squirrel takes off his chest plate, unstrapping the thing, and setting it by his feet on the floor. "Get some service here?" He snaps his fingers.

Lier nudges Angus and points to their drinks on the bar. "Have your drink."

Stubb rather abruptly rises and traipses with a boozer's slippery grace over to the giant lizard and his new friend. "'Allo, 'allo," he says.

Hactor notices the armored figure enter the room and becomes intrigued, keeping his eye on him as he sips his ale.

Ben holds the glass casually, sipping, "Mmm, " Slightly salivating at the talk of a meal, almost forgotten but his stomach begins to grumble. Somewhat surprised as Riverdale returns, pleasantly, "Ah, let me introduce myself then I'm Benjamin Davinshire and this is my wife Jocosa. As I was saying earlier I believe we saw you at the pawfasting at the Abbey not long past?" He blinks, "Ah, oh and I think we'd like a fresh seasonal salad if it wouldn't be too much trouble."

Riverdale's jaw clenches at the military squirrel's uncouth demand for service. With utter self-control, he raises a paw so that it is visible over his shoulder to Tux. "Ah, one moment, one moment," he calls out, then continues to hover, smiling, near the mice.

Angus shakes off his stupor. "Oh--yeah. Drink!" He swiftly obeys the fox, lapping from the shot glass. "Sorry. Sometimes heavy drink leaves me lost in thought. Guess it happens to the best of us, eh?" The parcel in his lap is preened and readjusting, ensuring its safety and comfort; he picks at loose bits of straw, shoving them back into the bag, along with a couple of escaping rags.

Riverdale dips his head. "Oh! Yes, yes. Lovely, ah, what a lovely ceremony. You know," he winks, "the newlyweds stayed here last night. Can you imagine, lad? In this very inn!" He winces at the sound of his own enthusiasm for celebrity gossip. "Of course... a salad. I'll tell, ah, I'll tell Rogue to make it, ah, extra big."

Lier raises an eyebrow at the straw in the pack, but quickly follows Angus. He draws the liquor into the mouth, delighting in the sensation of its prickles against his mouth and gums and finally allows it to spread another wave of warmth down his gullet with aa satisfied sigh. But then he notices the drunkard's approach and turns his body slightly toward the drunk weasel. He wrinkles his nose at the liquor on the creature's breath. "Hello?"

The squirrel in the robes [Unspoken] walks in, apparently having followed the soldier. From the looks of it, the animal would be dying in the summer heat, but no sign of fatigue or panting, or for that matter even a faint odor of exertion belies any sign that the squirrel's robes affect it. It enters quickly and makes a sharp right angle immediately and stands in a corner of the room, not moving, and more or less facing the soldier.

"What've we got 'ere, then, eh?" Stubb gestures to Angus' parcel.

Riverdale wheels round to face the haughty soldier. "Anything in particular you'd like, sir?" he asks curtly, and from rather a distance, to boot.

Jocosa grins. "Oh, did they? That's wonderful!" She nudges Ben with a paw, at the gossip, and grins. "We're in the same Inn as the Champion couple." Beaming as Riverdale confirms the salad order. "Thankyou very much." And then abruptly shushes herself as Riverdale's taking someone else's order too.

Angus blinks hard, stammering a bit. He clutches the bag close to his chest, tongue flicking nervously. No reason to hide it, really, he decides; he could squish this yokel with one stomp. And his new drinking buddy Lier would no doubt be right beside him! Right? "Er .. um. Junior." The lizard stares at Stubb, awaiting his reaction. A hand steadily strokes the outside of the rucksack, soothing its precious contents.

Stubb shakes his head. "What's that? Didn't catch it, mate." He presses a paw to the back of his pinna.

Lier rolls his eyes at the weasel's impertinence. Anyone could have guessed by the way the lizard had been acting. And the straw.

Tux hmms, looking the other squirrel up and down, "A bit old and masculine for a server, ain't ya? What's she doin' over there?" He winks again to the barmaid. "Lass like that'd be better for walkin' around the place. Eh, I'll go up later." He looks at the figure in the corner, distracted for a moment, "Eh, uh, oh! Drink, uh... something for summer, of course! A nice hoppy beer will do it, whatever ya have." He slams the table. "Boy, this table looks almost as old as you!" He grins.

Lier idly strokes his hirsute forearm.

Angus glances sideways to Lier, and flings a toothy smirk at Stubb. "*Junior*," he reiterates pointedly. The pack is clutched ever-closer, his lower lip quivering a bit. Then it all comes out; every gushing word. "What? Gotta' problem, pally?" the dragon snaps at Stubb, cold eyes growing a bit glassy--and narrowing to hide this. "So the wife left me. Yeah--so I gotta hatch 'im all by myself. Yeah. So what? Y'gotta problem with that? I'll knock yer friggin' block off, iffn' ye' do!" The lizard is now standing, bordering on hysteric. It's unclear whether he's about to bolt out the door in tears or rip Stubb to shreds.

Riverdale flashes a cautious and fleeting smile. The soldier isn't quite as intolerable as his entrance suggested. "Ah, drinks are at the bar. I'm up to here just taking food orders, so, ah... I'm afraid you'll have to serve yourself, la--ah, sir." He politely takes his leave and goes into the kitchen.

Riverdale enters the kitchen.

Riverdale has left.

Even in his present state, Stubb knows better than to provoke so massive a beast. "No offense 'ntended, oi jes' wan'ed t'know. So, ah. Y'just... carry th' li'le tyke round wif you? Can' 'e walk none?"

Lier's eyebrows make a swift ascent up his brow, both in surprise that males sometimes could take on hatching duties and with alarm at his drinking buddy's agitation. "My friend, don't ye mind the blighted drunkard." The fox tugs at the lizard, trying to get the creature to sit back down.

The mysterious squirrel's tail flicks back and forth sporadically, as if trying to see past its owner's body from one side to the other. The owner even looks back at it, and the tail comically shrinks down as if to say 'sorry, master!'. This squirrel is not without a sense of humor... he stands still otherwise, the gaping hole in the hood of the robes staring down the soldier with chilling constancy.

Ben is a little more passive in his reaction, smiling and nodding to Jocosa as she nudges him. He's about to get a word in when Riverdale's attention is shifted to another patron, turning back to his wife, "Well, how about that then? Maybe we'll see them about later?" He chuckles, "Mmm, maybe we could exchange stories on married life."

Flicktail arrives from the entrance.

Flicktail has arrived.

Flicktail stretches and yawns walking into the inn

"How rude, mate!" He shoves up from the table and goes over to the bar, scoffing and huffing all the way, hopping up to the bar. He looks behind him again at the squirrel and vocalizes loudly, "Got a problem, you? Why doncha face that corner you're standin' in there. Huh!" He turns around and shakes his head to the beast next to him, "Rudeness all over the place, here, eh?"

Angus, luckily, is diffused by Lier. He lowers awkwardly into his seat, and continues to babble: "Ain' got no home no more. First the wife left me--then the rains came 'n my hole flooded 'n caved in. Now it's just me 'n him. Bar-hoppin' and dealing with the awful company of prying, unsympathetic folks like *you.*" Even though he hasn't ordered, the barmaid overhears the conversation and slips another whiskey to the lizard. "No. He can't walk none. Ain' even outta' 'is shell yet."

Hactor waves to Flicktail remember me!

Flicktail looks arond, spoting Hactor he smiles "Hactor Fox..ello how be ye?

Stubb raises his paws and makes an unsteady retreat. "Oi 'ear yeh, mate. Oi sleep where 't'suits me t'sleep. Oi go where 't'suits me to go." He looks wistful, then glares at Tux. "Woah, woah, 'ey!"

Riverdale arrives from the kitchen through the swinging door.

Riverdale has arrived.

Lier draws back a slow breath. He is way too young for troubles like this. The fox motions the barmaid to pour him another drink as well. "By the claw, it's hell out there," he mutters, a little to Angus but mostly to himself.

Hactor chuckles at the weasel and mumbles to himself, "Give em a bit more ta drink and he'll be down and out in no time."

Angus falls quiet for a moment, gazing wistfully into the rucksack in his lap.

Riverdale bustles back in, this time bearing the salad on a large platter. He slips it smoothly into place between Ben and Jocosa. "Ahh... and there you are." Without seeming to stop, he rushes to greet Flicktail warmly. "Good evening, lad! And a very good evening, indeed." He breathes in the sweet summer air.

Jocosa beams happily, pointing out the white fox who seems to enter as if conjured by her husband's words. "... Say something else like that." She grins, then watches the salad, squirrelbourne, approaching their table. "Ooh. That looks delicious... Thankyou!" She calls, somewhere between the platter hitting the table and Riverdale zipping off.

The alcohol is now filtering into Lier's mind in earnest now. He attempts to put a friendly arm around Angus (despite the dreadful smell), but finds no purchase on the creature's scales. He settles for clapping the monitor lizard a few times on the back. "Now forgive me friend, I'm too young for these kinds of troubles myself but I know it must be something awful." He pauses, trying to think of the correct thing to say.

Flicktail looks around for his Old Friend...moving thru the tavern

Riverdale repeats his salutation to the fox as he draws closer. "I trust your, ah, your honeymoon is going well? Did you and Fae take a refreshing stroll in the woods?"

Tux looks at the weasel, "Whoa whoa yourself, lad - was I talkin' to you?" The barmaid reluctantly approaches and puts her paws on her hips. He answers, "I'll have whatever's your hoppiest, in case ya were wonderin' - skip to it!" He leans his elbows on the bar, looking around. "Some strange characters, here..."

Rentha shakes his head gently, clearing away the dreamy fog from his eyes. He notes the newcomers with very mild surprise, quickly stifled. Sipping his drink quietly, he walks away from the bar to an empty table a little ways back.

Flicktail nods to Riverdale "aye and we ad a noice night as well..she as...er..been waitin ta get me :)

Angus offers a grateful nod to Lier. "No worries, mate." His reptile head sinks, crestfallen. Meanwhile, his long-fingered hand reaches for the whiskey at the bar, and brings it home. "Apologies for the outburst. Haven't really .. erm. Spoken of any of it, since it happened. S'been a hard moon." The lizard crosses his feet at the ankles. "This's why the Great Toad gave us hard drink, eh?" Another loving pull from his glass punctuates that statement.

Hactor looks over to the squirrel and replies, "Aye as strange as they come. I should know," he pointed to himself, "I should know."

Rus arrives from the entrance.

Rus has arrived.

Hactor looks over to the large wolf and nearly gags on his ale (he hadn't seen a wolf that size since he lived up in the snowie north!)

Stubb is into the secondary stage of his inebriation. He backs off from the confrontation with Tux and drifts, rather morosely, back to his stool. "Eh, so... Hac-tor... tha's y'name, roight? What of this, eh, 'work', then?" He raps his knuckles on the counter; one among many words in his vocabulary that mean, simply, 'moar beer'.

Lier chokes back a drunken chortle at the mention of "Great Toad" and buries the remnants of it in his glass as he takes his own luxuriant pull from the crystal container. "Only one turn of the moon, then. You'll soon find your footpa--- err whatever you have down there, friend!" He laughs, not paying attention to the rest of the room.

The hooded thing with its tail finally moves... taking a seat opposite the soldier's armor. It has perfect posture, whatever it is, and the tail comes out of the side of the chair and seems to 'look' up towards the bar... Where's this thing's brain??

Rentha darts a look at the massive beast, noting the fangs.

"We're filling up rather quickly," Riverdale says, sweeping the room with wide eyes. "I'd take a seat, if I were you. Ah... there--" he notes an empty table in the middle of the room. "Does that, ah, suit you, lad?"

Rentha glances over at Riverdale, hoping to catch his attention.

Hactor looked to the weasel and said, "Lets say its of a militaristic nature."

Angus wiggles his toes jovially. His mood is evidently all over the place tonight. Such is the case with drama and whiskey, though. "Right right," he slurs, tongue sliding over the rim of his glass. "'n I should really stop bellyachin' about it. Before I know it, Junior will be a bigger handful 'n any wife or collapsing hole could ever be." A smile parts his lips, but he shoes it away. Eyes roll up to the entering wolf; the lizard clutches his softshell son a bit closer.

Lier glances down at the egg interestedly, unsure if it is polite or not. "Do you think the lad can hear us?"

Angus tilts his chin. "Some of it, I imagine. Probably like listenin' t'birds while being underwater," he suggests with a shrug.

Following the exciting pointing of his wife at the entrance of the notiable white fox, Ben smirks, "Well, maybe not right this moment, " Though no sign of the misses, then laughter. Spotting Riverdale who somewhat intrrupts his attention as food is place before them, "Well, I was certainly thinking of food... mmm and more wine maybe!" He calls after Riverdale.

Stubb laughs mirthlessly, cradling his newborn beer, and gently swirling it. "Look a'me, mate." He holds up a scrawny arm. "Think oi'd be much goo' in a foigh'?" He expectorates, barely missing his glass. "Milatr'y."

"Huh," remarks Lier, stroking his chin with exaggerated thoughtfulness, probably induced by the alcohol. "How do you know it's a son anyway?"

Ah, look. A fine gathering of peoples. Normally he visits the /other/ inn and tavern, the one next door to this one.. strange positioning, is it not? But judging by the burgeoning crowd here, perhaps the woods can support two inns so close together. Rus, the gigantic wolf of much previous note, makes his way on into the common room. Angus receives a bit of a grumble for his glance as he steps up to the bar.

Tux addresses Hactor with some distain, "Callin' yourself weird, eh? I'm plenty fine hangin' around squirrels - ones that ain't so...." He does a double take, looking behind him at the hooded figure with the tail, "Hey, you! Whadooya think you're doin', sittin'..." He gets up and goes to the table, leaning over it facing the squirrel in his... uh, face? He looks at the tail, not sure if he should address it instead, "You, er, you... ahhhh, what makes you think I want your company?"

Angus just glares at Lier in response to that. Not intensely mean, but it gets the point across.

Hactor chuckles and replies, "Perhaps not in a fight ba peraps in gettn information." He takes a swig of his ale, (he is begining to feel a bit light headed)

Lier's auricle reddens.

Stubb presses the rim of the glass to his lip, then cocks his head in ruminant acknowledgment of Hactor's reply. "Mmm," he says, sipping. "Go on, then."

Angus catches the wolf's subtle growl. Belatedly, the lizard shoots him a hiss, but drops it and returns to his conversation with Lier. Well--if returning to the conversation means giving the fox a hard rap to his shoulder. "You'll just have t'wait until you're a parent-to-be. Y'just *know* these things." He bobs his chin confidently.

Riverdale is positively dizzy amid the clamors for service. He wanders to the bar with trepidation. "Ah... hello, yes?" The old squirrel does his best to press on through encroaching weariness as he stops beside Rentha.

Lier nods, hiding his embarrassment in his glass of liquor once more. He finishes the drink quickly. "You know, it's strange how it doesn't burn at all after a few."

Rentha notices Riverdale, "Ah there you are, good sir. You're looking a little tired... Anyway, can I get a bite to eat 'round here?"

Angus nods again. "Aye--'tis." His gaze wanders to his pack, then out to the commotion once more.

Hactor grinned and began, "Well my wesaley friend I for lack of a better term need an army. And having someone who knows the area well would prove lucrative," he paused and said,"for both parties."

Lier looks down and pats his satchel softly, tapping against it almost as if to the rhythm of some internal music. "I was going to do some work at the bar over a drink or two, but I suppose it didn't work out that way." He smiles.

Logan arrives from the common room.

Logan has arrived.

Angus juts a curious finger at his comrade's pack. "So whatcha' got in yers'?" he chirps with a lop-sided grin. "Hopefully notta' litter o' squirming pinkies."

Stubb looks faintly impatient. "Roigh', roigh'... le's be honest, though, mate. Oi'm in it f'r coin." He slams his forearm into the bar, as if carving an invisible line--the bottom line; "Wha's it pay, Hac-tor?"

The squirrel with the living tail stands up and grabs Tux by the collar, growling agitatedly. The tail seems to be goading the squirrel (or whatever it is) on, waving back and forth and pointing at the soldier repeatedly. It points to the lizard next. The hood looks behind the soldier at the lizard too, and nods. With a hefty shove, the soldier goes straight into Angus! The mystery squirrel quickly shifts position, so that the lizard might think Tux had just shoved him on his own...

Lier laughs as if it was the funniest thing he's heard all year, rocking back and forth with chortles for a few seconds. "No, nothing like that! I don't even have a mate... These are just some papers I have to read." He thinks for a couple of seconds before shaking his head and adding, "Nothing too interesting."

Riverdale raises a paw to rub the bleariness from his eyes. "Oh, ahaha, no, no. I'm just... What can I get you, ah, sir?"

Riverdale mutters to himself, seeing the fight breaking out nearby but not in a position to effect a remedy. Who knew running an inn would be so tough?

Hactor looked shrewdley at Stubb and finally replied, "Well Stubby If you should help me gaine information and troops, I can garantey you some of are bounty. How about a trunk of gold eh?!" He then slamed his hand on the table and said grimly, "Your choice mate. You can get gold and fame or cheap beer."

Tux wails despairingly before smacking into the lizard, forcefully enough... He looks back at the hooded figure, but he's well out of the way and not a likely excuse at all - how did he get over there so quickly?? None of that matters now, as the squirrel faces the huge monitor lizard... "Uh... uh..."

Angus opens his mouth to poke friendly fun at Lier, but is cut off by the brunt of the soldier's weight. "Whatthehell!" he howls, clutching his swaddled offspring. He shoots up from his stool and holds the pack high, staring like daggers at Tux. "Do you *mind*, ye' creep? I dunnae' know what you think you're doing, but I got precious cargo here--'n if you even put a *dent* in 'im, I'll sell yer arse to the kitchen as tomorrow's dinner special." He lets out a long, low hiss after that.

Stubb looks on, open-mouthed.

Lier catches the furry projectile in his eyes as it is shoved toward the monitor lizard. Thinking the squirrel was coming toward /him/, he stands up from his barstool, knocking the thing back with a loud crash. The lowball glass slips from his claws and upends itself onto the bar, some of the drink spilling onto his clothes and the rest cascading down from the edge of the counter.

Hactor looks up ears folded back really hoping a rumble wasn't about to insue.

"... I feel a bit outnumbered," comments the feline who now enters. Logan's eyebrows are raised, fingers drumming against the side of her muzzle as she looks around the room. She appears to be the only female in the large group. "What's this, then? Boys' Boozing Night?"

Rentha ponders thoughtfully for a second, "Well, a small fish'd be nice, but a salad'll do if that's all you've got."

Stubb shakes. "Wha'? Oh, so," he composes himself, doing his best not to be distracted by the snowballing conflict. "Y've go' a trunkload a' gold, then, mate?"

The evening has certainly proven interesting for two wide-eyed mice, staring about in wonderment at a gather of mostly foxes and at least one monitor lizard. Still as the evening wanes, wine is filled at least twice again to the brim in both glasses. Dinner long finished they enjoy the surrounding of so many curious and interesting beasts, and talking to each other of course. Adding to the noise of the night with laughter from him and squeaking in amusement from her. Carrying on at least until they begin to tire, with her being maybe overly affectionate slightly as he helps her off past the commons to see about a room.

(Ben and Jocosa leave.)

Tux's mood goes from frightened to angry. He's insulted, and his pride outweighs any sense of reason to apologize, "Hey, you blitherin' moanin' sack of lizard eggs, I wasn't meanin' to hit ye... but now I think maybe I should'a! Would stop all your yappin' about your troubles! We all have 'em!! How about it, mates? Who wants this'n here to shut his mouth?" He stares up at the lizard, thinking to himself that this was not such an intelligent thing to say...

Riverdale presses a digit to his lips. "Fish? Ah, I think we can rustle up some fish." He casts a fretful glance at Tux and Angus before returning to the kitchen.

Riverdale enters the kitchen.

Riverdale has left.

Rus has his back to the bar now, his arms folded across his great expanse of a chest. He watches impassively the brewing argument near him.. well, not impassively. There might be a /hint/ of distaste there. Of course, the only-arriving female happens to be a female he knows, so he clears his throat. "Logan." Now there's a smile there.

From the kitchen, there is a loud rustling.

Riverdale shouts "Use sawdust if you have to!" from Kitchen

Riverdale arrives from the kitchen through the swinging door.

Riverdale has arrived.

Rentha blinks, seeing the wildcat. Oh, look, another lady. "Well, it's little like drunked party conversation..."

Riverdale returns, sweating profusely. He crosses to the mice's vacated table and picks up their used plate and glasses.

Lier takes a step back from Tux and Angus, worried.

Angus just simply stares at Tux, eyes wide and jaw a bit slack. The creature is at least a head taller than the soldier squirrel--and that's a conservative measurement, bungled by the lizard's tendency to slouch. Moments pass, and the reptile remains silent. Under different circumstances, he would probably eviscerate this joker on the spot. But not now--not with the kid in tow. His glare persists, but his mouth snaps shut. Angus is a statue, negotiating a couple of long breaths to subdue his urge to mangle.

Rentha finishes his second pint, the one he's been nursing most of the latter half of the evening. He slides the tankard back onto the table and is about to order another, but thinks better of it and just leans back sleepily.

Meanwhile, the mystery squirrel and its tail both seem to be 'chuckling' off to the side, observing silently still.

Stubb can never seem to keep his concentration on one thing at this time of night, nevermind when there's doing's a-happening. "Y'know, mate. Moight be best if we, eh, slip over to the back room. It's a mite more peaceful there." He takes his glass in paw, ready to take his own advice.

Hactor looking at the hulk of a lizard and said to Stubb, "Perhaps this converstion is better had ellswhere."

Lier steps toward the would-be combattants, his expression slowly working up to a passable imitation of a smile. "We're all here to drink, not fight. Let me buy both of you another round or something."

Hactor follows

Stubb says, "Oi see we're in agreement, then."

Stubb slips through the gap in the wall into the back room.

Stubb has left.

Hactor slips through the gap in the wall into the back room.

Hactor has left.

(See Back Room Log)

Logan sidles her way over toward the bar and, more interestingly, the shaggy monstrosity that is the wolf. A monstrosity she knows, and who she gives a slow, toothy smile. Her hand leaves her muzzle to rise and brush Rus' jawline in greeting. "/You/. Hello hello, massive canine, I haven't seen you in rather a while, have I?" She cuts a speculative look over toward the monitor lizard, for a moment.

Tux's fear seems to melt with the hesitation from the lizard - his inaction is misinterpreted by the arrogant soldier as weakness, "Yeah you, ya fool... how about ya stare at me a bit more, I'm used to it by now - you could make friends with that freak over there and 'is tail. Why don't you fry that egg for me and I'll have 'er for breakfast. Me mates and me... we'd do that all the time on march. Find a lizard nest, eat the evidence!" The squirrel laughs, merry in his own confidence, so sure he has nothing to worry about.

Rentha listens in disgust, "Great, a brawl is just what this night needs..." he mutters in a very,very soft voice under his breath.

Unspoken slips through the gap in the wall into the back room.

Unspoken has left.

Lier's expression twists into incredulity and then schooled neutrality. He steps backward away from Tux and Logan, clutching his satchel tightly. "Hellsteeth, this is an inn not a bleeding tavern."

Riverdale commutes, mostly unnoticed, among the tables, back to the kitchen, to the bar, and back again, borrowing energy against tomorrow just to get through the hectic night. After a spell, he drops the trout platter in front of Rentha. "Ah, and there you are." The ancient fellow is positively drenched now. His waistcoat isn't going to survive this night.

If he had hackles, they'd be all sorts of raised. But, lucky for Angus, his sleek lizardy skin is immune to such betrayal. An eye twitches--well, more of the flesh under his eye--and his hand grips and releases. He rises to the balls of his clawed feet, sucking his lip inward and gnawing on it. But, in spite of his boiling internal rage, the dragon refuses to give in to the loud-mouthed solider. A dolt, for sure; a scumbag not worth the time of day, or the inconvenience of being displaced from this rather nice establishment. Angus scowls, then tilts his chin upward, and pivots. He plops back down into his stool, cold-shouldering the rodent.

The massive canine licks her paw when she rubs his jawline, and then nods. "Not for much time," he agrees. "Is good to be seeing you, Logan." Of course, his eyes too travel over to the lizard and Tux- "Is not wise to be provoking lizard," mumbles the wolf, to his feline companion.

Glancing around, Rentha catches sight of Riverdale with the platter. "Thank you very much, my regards to the chef."

Rentha takes this opportunity to occupy himself with the platter of trout, a nice sized one at that. He eats slowly, tacking it with a fork and knife and chewing vigorously between bites.

"... not if lizard isss anything like Sssakriss," Logan agrees in a low tone, which adopts the particular reptilian sound she occasionally borrows from her own monitor companion. Her head tilts, pink tongue curling out to brush against her nose in a contemplative manner. "Perhapsss the ugly one wantsss to be eaten."

Lier slowly eases back into his own seat as well, pleasantly surprised that the situation did not escalate. He racks his alcohol addled mind for something to say to distract his friend while his paw plays restless with an empty drink glass. "Um," is all he could come up with.

Tux chuckles knowingly, inwardly thanking the deities he'd been spared. He grunts and walks back to his seat at the bar, grabbing his drink. "Uh... about time, there..." He takes it and quickly turns around, intent upon finding that squirrel and wringing him dry!! He might not be able to take the lizard, but Tux would be more than up to the challenge of some freak in robes, barely taller than himself... "Where did 'at... errrrr...." He sips his drink heartily and doesn't see the beast. Still, he straps on his chest plate and looks about ready to go searching...

Riverdale silently departs the common room, leaving in his wake a little trail of fallen perspiration.

(Riverdale leaves.)

Angus nods in agreement with Lier. "Indeed." He remains aware of the aggressive pipsqueak, catching the noisy egress of boots. His eyes seek out the barmaid. Being rather good at what she does, the keep scuttles over to the monitor; he orders another drink. An ale this time, as his tolerance for whiskey has likely been exhausted for the night. Angus checks over his rucksack briefly, patting it with fatherly pride.

Lier hums to himself as he glances over at the various bottles of concoctions on the shelf behind the bar. "I wonder if this place can make a good Mossflower."

Angus nurses a sip of his ale. "Hm--I bet so. This 'Libbie' gal," he says, having caught the barmaid's name, "seems to be on top of her game tonight."

Lier gestures Libbie over while grinning at Angus conspiratorially. When the rabbit girl had sidled over, the fox put an arm around Angus' back. "My mate and I here, we're on a quest." He winks over to Angus.

Lier says, "We're looking for..." He pauses for dramatic effect and then resumes, "The perfect Mossflower."

Lier gives the barmaid a wide grin, "You think you can make one for us?"

Tux grumbles and finishes his beer, slamming it down on the table and getting up, almost knocking the chair behind him over. "Now...." He clanks in his metal-tipped boots over towards the back room, where he figures the squirrel might have gone. "We'll see who gets the last laugh, won't we... freak." He approaches the door cautiously...

Angus props his chin on his hands, gazing at the barkeep. His tongue flits with anticipation. Both heels hook on the lower rung of his barstool, as if he needed the leverage to lean further in. Tux's departing words fall upon deaf ears--there are more urgent matters now. Like this perfect Mossflower!

The barmaid rolls her eyes and retrieves a couple of martini glasses and proceeds to make the drink.

Lier watches her for a moment, but quickly loses interest and turns back to Angus. "So what do you do for silver?"

Tux slips through the gap in the wall into the back room.

Tux has left.

"This 'n that. Really--when I had a hole, we didn't *need* silver. Got most of our livelihood from the land. Food, water .. yaknow. Had a bit saved up for a rainy day, of course, but .. eh. Runnin' on kindo' empty now," Angus tells Lier, sipping from his beer as he awaits the possible arrival of new shots.

Lier nods, smiling at the description that Angus gave. "This and that is all everybeast ever does. Did you have your own parcel of land or something?" He pauses, and then nods over at their glasses. "Don't worry about tonight, of course, I got it."

Angus shrugs. "It was mine 'coz I lived there," he states, then contemplates for a moment. "Nobody ever came 'round lookin' for rent or nothin'. So I guess it was mine. Until it, you know, collapsed in on itself."

Lier furrows his brow, "Can't ye rebuild it?"

Angus lets out a short chuckle. "Er .. no. Takes years t'dig out a good hole. I inherited mine from my father. And he got it from his. Maybe some day--who knows. Maybe I'll find a nice cave."

Rus sweeps his arm around the grown kitten and then picks up his big ale in the other. "You are being thirsty from road, yes?" Whether she is or not, the big wolf offers her the tankard.

Lier sighs and pushes back from the bar, fishing in his waistcoat for some silver. He puts down enough on the counter to cover the drinks and a nice tip for the barmaid. "I need to get to bed, mate. Are you staying at this inn?"

Angus hadn't considered this. "Aye--'spose if I can get a room. Been sleepin' outside a lot lately. Most o' these rooms are a bit too fluffy fer my tastes, 'n the furniture ain' really suited to my .. er. Stature. Maybe they gotta' bed o' hay in the basement."

Logan grasps the offered drink with a little hissing laugh. "I'm always thirsty from something or other... Nnh." She twists her muzzle in faint distaste, ears flicking back after taking a swallow of the ale. "I believe I find the other place... preferable."

Stubb has arrived. (from the back room)

Lier nods and bids the lizard goodbye with a brief wave of his arm. He departs to figure out his rooming situation.

Lier steps into the entrance hall.

Lier has left.

(Lier leaves.)

Unspoken has arrived. (from the back room)

Unspoken comes running through the door from the back room and pauses, looking around wildly. The tail points to the back room, indicating that something is going on in there! The squirrel hurries out through the exit and into the night...

Unspoken steps into the entrance hall.

Unspoken has left.

(Unspoken leaves.)

Stubb is looking particularly smug and unctuous as he returns from his meeting in the backroom. He barely even notices the freakish squirrel who tears right past in a frenzy. The weasel coolly retakes his old seat at the bar. Amazing what a few coins in the pocket will do for a fellow's demeanor.

Angus watches Lier depart, remaining quiet. He continues to slurp at his drink, head swimming. As the tailbeast rushes through, the lizard tilts his head, but then returns to his brooding.

Stubb gazes down the length of the bar at Angus.

A howl of pain is heard from the back room.

Angus is quite inebriated. The newfound fox friend caused him to down a few more than he had expected, and this is abundantly clear. He is not sloppy; more catatonic, content--calm for perhaps the first night in weeks. The howl enters and exits his cranium, just a crackle amidst the other bar-talk. He barely flinches.

Rus wrinkles his nose. "Yes, I am agreeing. Too much fighting here and I am not even drunk to be joining in!" Of course... it would take quite the night of drinking to make Rus a little inebriated. Or quite a few stiff drinks, at least.

Angus idly eavesdrops on the yammer among Rus and Logan, as the lop-sided grin returns to his face. He saw the other establishment on his way to this one; his curiosity is momentarily piqued, but the brutish reptile is far beyond polite questions at this point. He just languishes in his stupor.

"Lis'en to 'em, back there," the weasel says. "Always itchin' f'r a foigh', eh? We-e-ell," he continues woozily, "Oi say... to 'ell wif tha'!" He's not addressing anyone in particular, but he does appear to be making a rather vigorous attempt to attract the monitor's attention. He swings round, "Nex' drink's on me, folks! Le's enjoy th' fin'r things, shall we?"

Stubb jabs his finger at the immense wolf. "An', uh... TWO drinks f'r you!"

Angus shakes off the daze, lurching backward in his seat. It almost topples beneath him. "Wha--oh. I ain' itchin' fer no fights, right right? Just enjoin' a sip o' the bubbly goodness." It takes him a moment to locate the speaker, and he mutters,

".. Next drink?" as if wary of the proposal. A blurry glance is cast upon his encapsulated, swaddled sun: the parcel is nestled safely on the bar beside him. He gives it a loving caress, then stumbles from his stool to join Stubb. "Why's 'e get two?" the lizard pries with a toothy grin.

Rus turns his head toward the tatter-eared weasel. To make it more accurate, he turns his head sideways and then doown to look toward the weasel. The grin is slow in taking its place on his face.. revealing a wide set of teeth. "Thanking you, weasel."

Stubb nods, floppy-headed. "Y'r welcominin', wolf. Bourbons f'r'all!" he cries, raising a paw to the heavens.

Dear Toads in the Toadpond. Not more bourbon! Angus wobbles beside Stubb, gazing down at the lifted paw. It pokes somewhere near the lizard's snout, so he shifts his head to avoid an unwanted nose-picking. "Fer all!" he echoes with a nervous chuckle.

Bourbons for all? "Maybe I should not be so quick to judge," Logan purrs in approval of this announcement, and she leans up, setting one foot on a stool and one hand on Rus' tall shoulder, to pull herself up and sit on the bar. Leaning with her elbows on her knees, the wildcat concentrates her gaze on Angus. "You knoowwww. .. I am particularly fond of lizards." She makes a slight gesture, to the monitor tooth worn as an ornament on her tufty ear.

Stubb grasps his bourbon and raises it high. "T' lizards!" He throws it back in a well-practiced manner, then slams the glass down, accidentally breaking it. "Pu' i' on m'tab, there's a good lass!" he hollers.

Angus lifts his drink as well, albeit not so high. He is still slurping when Stubb smashes the glass, and, in light of it, takes great care to gingerly return his own to the bar. "Er .. yeah," he mutters. Logan's mention of lizards is lost among the whiskey fray; really, most of the scene is lost to Angus right now. He is a mess.

Tux has arrived.

Tux steps into the entrance hall.

Tux has left.

Hactor has arrived.

Hactor enters the room with a cut across his arm and bruises on his chest. He growled' "Strongest thing youve got!"

Stubb spies Tux's swift transit through the common room and stands without warning. He's gone only a few steps when he sees Hactor following close behind the armored squirrel. He does a quick about face, returns with practiced grace to his stool.

"Yup--musta' been the strongest," Angus replies, concluding that Hactor's state is likewise due to the influx of whiskey. The hulk swaggers and sinks, collecting his weight against the bar. A hand reaches back to shove his tail in the opposite direction--a counter-balance of sorts. Quite useful when in such states.

Hactor is handed a glass and guzzles down the contents. He belches loudly and sets his head on the bar.

Logan bristles slightly as a little shard of glass flies at her, and she turns away from her curious survey of Angus, to show her teeth at Stubb. It's a rather smirking expression, in its way. "Hello little doltish-- aheh." She twists around to eye Hactor, with one ear cocked forward and the other flat. "I would dearly love to see you fall over, sir."

Hactor slured, "I was tha blooey squarrel wha di this ta me!"

"... you are that bloo-ey's quarrel? Indeed," Logan snickers. She slouches sideways against Rus, her tankard held in both hands.

Hactor looked to the wild cat and said, "Na. The one tha leff a few moments ago." He laughed and continued, "He thinks I wanna kill his king."

As the wildcat acknowledges the quirky weasel, the monitor lifts his chin to assess her. His head weaves, but he does his best to shove himself off the bar and stand upright. Then the wolf materializes, among a bourbon haze, over her shoulder. A disarming smile is thrown at the couple, before Hactor interrupts his sight-seeing. The lizard addresses the burping fox with clear disdain, much preferring the company of the *other* canine. Such creatures are so hit and miss, he muses inwardly.

Stubb burps, then sidles up to Hactor. "Roigh', then, foxy, off t'bed, ma'e." He pulls the larger beast's arm across his own head and shoulder and proceeds in an effort to escort the warrior out.

Angus is blatantly confused by both Stubb and Hactor. The pair has done nothing but behave strangely all night--and when a neurotic, tanked giant lizard considers something odd, it is definitely worth a second glance.

Hactor jerked and slurred, "I aint finish yet! Barkeep!" He then recieved and downed another glass of whiskey. He sudenly hick uped and said, "Now I'm finished."

Hactor put his arm aroun Stubb hickuped and said, "Stubby! Whitch way are tha rooms?"

"I would be utterly delighted with.. disbelief. If anyone tried to suggest that /you/.. could kill anyone." Logan says to Hactor, and perks up an eyebrow til it forms a little ^ shape above her eye. "But /do/ feel free to have a go at someone, it'd be so... titillating."

Hactor turned to the cat and croaked, "Oy! I'm a warlord I am! Just down on ma luck is all! Ain tha right Stubby?"

Stubb gradually sinks under the weight of Hactor's arm while the bleeding fellow goes for his damn nightcap. "Oof," he notes, adding: "Ready now, ma'e? This way--" he tugs as well as his little frame can manage in the direction of the entrance. "Ye', ye', y'rra warlord 'n' all tha'. Roigh', now 's bed time f'r th' warlord."

Logan twitches one ear. "Walrus? Yes, /that/ I do almost believe."

Angus only picks up on one syllable of Logan's comment, and cocks his head curiously, besieged by a wayward grin. He then coughs and glances away, sputtering a bit more. The lizard forgets about this quickly and returns his attention to the self-proclaimed and stumbling warlord. "Why're ye' rushin' the bloke out?" the dragon hisses at Stubb; "Let th' critter get 'is fill."

Hactor hickuped and exclaimed, "Aww to ell with ya! Barkeep!" yet another glass of whiskey and he was reclined in a chair half dazed.

Hactor then of all thing began to sing. The poor fellow really was out of his sinces at the moment. This was a much different fox than had entered the back room before.

Angus cranes over the counter, gesturing to Libbie. "Oi, lass--the 'General' said t'put a whissskey on 'is tab fer me too." The lizard winks and the barkeep obliges, tossing her hair to one side in a half-exasperated motion. Or perhaps that's disbelief. This certainly must be one of the wilder nights in recent days.

The singing. The /singing/. That's Logan's cue to leave. She drops off the bar counter and slips toward the door, taking the tankard with her. Her saunter is such that, were her tail longer, it'd be weaving back and forth.

And Logan's leaving is also Rus' cue to leave. Not that he /has/ to, it's just that he's got some catching up to do with the kitty. Since his tail is long, it does swish back and forth.

(Logan and Rus leave.)

Angus catches the noise of Logan's shifting stool. He turns to it, and waggles a hand to the departing stranger. "Safe journey, miss floofy cattish-beastie!"

Angus says, "And .. giant. Wolf."

Angus coughs and falls silent.

Hactor l watched them leave and mumbled, "Whiskey."

Hactor recieved a hole bottle from the barkeep who gave him a curt look and said something about it being his money.

Stubb extricates himself from the increasingly sloppy mess that is Hactor. He shakes his head wearily, then casually fetches a coin from his vest pocket to settle his tab. He winks at Libbie, then turns to go. "Ol', Stubby," he says sotto voce. "Jus' what in the 'ell've you got y'rself into?"

Hactor takes three swigs of the bottle...hickups...and then proceeds to pass out. Poor fellow.

Angus is quickly headed the same route as the others. Well, perhaps a compromise among Hactor and Stubb. The lizard begins to exit, tripping on his tail a bit. Then remembers something important. He swivels to fetch his parcel from the bar, before heading off to locate a bed. Or pile of wood. Or wherever lizards like to sleep.

(The remaining patrons leave and/or pass out.)