closed;

[trampire]

Who: Lanque Bombyx & Ardbert
Where: A bar in Goldenrod
When: 6/6 evening
Summary: Ardbert just wants to enjoy some beer, Lanque wants something else.
Rating: pg-13 (alcohol, cussing, etc)
Log:

[It's become a bit of a routine for Lanque to find himself at the bar scenes around Goldenrod and Saffron. It just so happens that tonight he's in Goldenrod, at the same bar that Ardbert has decided to plant himself for a few evening rounds. It's hard not to notice him, not because his facial features are anything particularly special, not that he's a bad looking dude either, but that physique? Those muscles? Those strong, broad shoulders?

That's nothing to sniff at! Which is why Lanque swiftly slinks his way through the crowd and plants himself on the bar stool next to him. Propping his elbow on the bar top, cupping his cheek as he leans on it. Leveling his penetrating stare at him, his lips curling into a smirk as he looks him over.]

Mind if I take this seat? I couldn't help but notice you seemed to be here all by your lonesome—which is ridiculous if you ask me.

Comments

[bravury]

Mm?

[Ardbert had been mid sip when Lanque approached. Nothing out of the norm for a bar honestly, there was only so many bar stools and who knows, maybe he was waiting for someone. Of course he wasn't, he was just here to enjoy some drinks and the atmosphere.

He nods, giving Lanque a sidelong look.]

Is it really so strange? [He doesn't think so.] Seats open though, you're welcome to join me.

[trampire]

Well, have you taken a look at yourself?

[He says in a voice that's light and airy, flirty for those who are familiar which Ardbert probably isn't.]

You've got a look to you that would suggest you're pretty familiar with all sorts of company, yet here you are alone...

[The bar tender at that comes by to take Lanque's order, which he gives (a dirty martini) before shooing him away to keep his attention on Ardbert.]

I'm Lanque, by the by.

[He raises his eyebrows expectantly to imply "and you are?"]

[bravury]

[He quirks an eyebrow, literally looking down at himself as if he hadn't taken a look recently and contemplating Lanque's words. Well he is an adventurer, as was the owner of this body. That's probably what Lanque was meaning, right? He shrugs.]

I'm well traveled, if that's what you mean. My days of company are a bit behind me now.

[Not entirely true in a place like this, but it's different here.]

Ardbert.

[trampire]

I bet you are. But, you know, they don't have to be...

[The way he says it implies something different than what Ardbert's meaning, but that seems to be the crux of this conversation so far. Not that Lanque minds, he doesn't care if he has to keep nudging this guy until he gets a clue! It wouldn't be the first time!]

Ardbert, huh? Can't say I've ever heard of a name like that before, how exotic.

[Lanque, pls...]

[bravury]

[And yet another implication goes over Ardbert's head. Good luck Lanque, Ardbert's had a close friend die without him ever realizing the very obvious and outright crush she had on him.

He gives a soft chuckle though, smiling. Of course, he's got company right here. No need to be rude. He turns on the bar stool to face Lanque more. Now they're not two people drinking beside each other, they can be drinking together.]

True enough, we've all got time here to make of it as we will.

[Exotic though, huh?]

Perhaps to you, it's a common enough name for a hume back home. Now Lanque on the other hand, that's unusual.

[trampire]

[...He sees. All muscle, no sponge. He can work with this.]

Exactly. If we're going to be stuck here, we might as well make the best of our time. Make a few acquaintances, or friends, or...whatever else might stroke one's fancy.

[It's then his drink arrives and he takes a sip from it. Contemplating playing with the olive between his teeth—but he abstains, for now.]

I hope it's a good unusual.

[He tilts his head a little curiously, a little playfully, his meticulously coiffed hair hanging loosely out of the way of his painted eyes.]

I guess I wouldn't say my name is all that common, where I'm from our names tend to be unique and very individual. Nothing like the repetitious over utilization of the same names that's common here in this world.

[bravury]

[Shame on you Lanque. Ardbert thinks you're just a chatty friendly bar patron and he's not entirely dense, just dense when it applies to him specifically. He nods along though, taking a moment to take another swig of his beer.]

Mm. It's not bad, more a curiosity for me.

[And Lanque really does have his attention, for his love for travel and adventure also came from learning about all the differences in the world.]

Does your culture not lean towards trends? That's how the repetition happens at any rate. Someone gets the bright idea to name their kid something new and everyone else follows after.

[trampire]

Well, we don't really raise our "kids" as you humans call them.

[Lanque's expression shifts a little with the conversational topic going towards something that's...less sexually appealing.]

Not that there aren't trends, but if anything there's names that are somewhat similar based on what kind of lusus is given to a troll. Those who have the same type are more likely to have names that sound similar.

[But then he abruptly waves his hand to dismiss the topic.]

But that's hardly an interesting topic. I'd rather hear about you and exactly how well traveled you are.

[bravury]

Can't say I've ever met a troll before.

[Ardbert catches the shift in Lanque's expression, but the exact reason for the shift he doesn't understand. Maybe he's been asked these sorts of questions too often and was tired of explaining himself? As interesting as it was for Ardbert (Trolls? Lusus??), he doesn't push the topic any further.]

Me?

[As if that's a surprising turn of conversation.]

Well, hmm. I was an adventurer back home, I suppose the real question is where haven't I traveled? Are you after stories of my exploits?

[trampire]

Absolutely I do.

[He was willing to brush off the fact Ardbert hadn't met a troll before. Most people haven't, and he was bored to death explaining about them. Which is why he waited to listen to what he had to say otherwise before speaking up.

With his martini on the bar top, he keeps his eyes on Ardbert, watching him with predatory-like interest as his forefingers and thumb leisurely run up and down the stem of the glass. Almost like he's...stroking it.]

I'm all auricular sponge clots—so don't be shy.

[bravury]

[And another raised eyebrow, interesting language this guy used. Probably another culture thing.]

...Auricular sponge clots? Mm.

[He shakes his head, not expecting an answer and already working what he would assume would be the closest phrase he's familiar with in his head. Instead he brings his gaze back to his drink, which he takes a swig of, before contemplating just what exploit he should share.]

If I'm being honest, it's not often I'm the one telling these sorts of things.

[So... shy. He didn't go around helping people for the fame. He won't deny it was nice, but it also wasn't him running around being boastful. For a moment it may seem like he needs more prodding to go on with how he continues to stare into that cup of his.]

...I could tell you about the time me and my companions took a bounty to slay a beast that was bleeding a mountain of it's aether.

[trampire]

[At the questionable word choice, Lanque just shakes his head and waves him on. As if to tell him not to worry about it. He's much more interested in what Ardbert has to say, versus explaining troll terminology. Maybe he will later, but not right now.

However, as Ardbert goes on, Lanque finds himself intrigued, though it's clear that Ardbert hasn't been picking up the hints he's been dropping. Naturally that means he should try to drop a few more.]

Oh yeah? [His voice is light and high, the auricle picture of interested.] I have to say, I've plenty of experience in bleeding mountains, in a manner of speaking.

[Of course his gaze flicks downward with the word "mountains", before returning to Ardbert properly. Well, there's nothing "proper" about how he's looking at him, but at least he isn't staring where he was just moments ago.]

But tell me more, I'm dying to hear your technique.

[bravury]

[Ok, Ardbert may be dense at times, but even he couldn't miss something as obvious as that. This guy was definitely talking about something else. Despite the comment clearly throwing Ardbert off his story, he looks more confused then put off by Lanque's actions.]

Are you... a miner?

[Ah, yes. The only explanation for bleeding mountains dry.]

I've heard of veins going dry, I suppose. Aether is another matter entirely.

[A serious matter, Lanque. He tilts his head though, thinking. It wasn't really crucial to the story if this guy was more interested in battle though.]

If it's technique you're curious about, I do know my way around an axe. Two handed. And someone's got to lead the battle of course, which sort of always fell to me.

[trampire]

Of sorts.

[There's a dangerous slant on how he says that, his sharp gaze like the end of a dagger dragging across Ardbert's skin as he watches him.]

A two-pronger and one to take initiative? I like that. Maybe we can go somewhere and you can show me your form. I've always been more of a prongs-on and visual learner.

[He says maybe, but he then downs his drink and then grabs Ardbert by his shirt with an alarmingly strong grip to lead him away from the busy bar.]

[bravury]

[Is there no straight answers with this guy? Of sorts. There's not time to speculate what he could mean before Lanque is moving on, complimenting(??) him and starting to drag him away.

He sputters a moment at the suddenness of it all, splashing some booze with the fumbling motions of trying to let go of his drink in time and leave it behind.]

Wha- Hang on a moment! It's not like I have my weapon with me.

[He says, but he allows himself to be dragged away. He's unsure how much form he can show with this place's lack of weapons but he's not entirely opposed to a tussle if that's what this man wants to see.]