Crooked was the path // and brazen was the walk~

[south_is_colder]

Who: Cloud, Shanks, others can join in too!
Where: Entertainment District; Radical Dreamers Pub
When: After Shanks' free-for-all victory
Why: Because a win deserves a celebration?
Rating: PG

Comments

[cloudy_reverie]

Cloud meandered into the bar, the hearty laughter and loud singing could be heard from quite a ways down the street, from where Cloud came from. He was too used to walking with a weapon, so he brought his Buster Sword with him, dressed in his cape (which hid his wing), and clawed glove.

The bar went silent when he trudged in, armored and silent. His soft voice sounded rather loud when he asked, "Where's Shanks?"

[south_is_colder]

Covered on all sides by bodies, Shanks remained invisible at first, hidden away by the crowd who, as they fell silent, threw their gaze towards the new arrival. Many of them, fighters as well, glared at the demanding tone, their fists clentched, but suddenly stepped aside and revealed the man in question.

Shanks, glancing upward, stared at Cloud through the veiled shade of his short-brimmed straw hat, giving his eyes a darkened and ominous image. "And who wants to know?" he responded with a predatory grin, the sheathe hanging at his side letting out a soft clink as he grasped the hilt of the blade nestled inside. The weapon wasn't quite as grand as Cloud's, but it was an oversized sword as well, a proper fit for someone easily three times the pirate's size

[cloudy_reverie]

Cloud had regarded the glares coolly, unflinchingly. He'd only asked a simply question after all. When Shanks was revealed, Cloud was about to head over when he saw the predatory grin.

Did Shanks not recognize him?

But then Shanks called him out loudly, producing a loud cheer from everyone else. Cloud rolled his eyes and waited until Shanks approached him and led him to a corner booth. Cloud slid into the seat. "Looks like it's quite a party," He said softly.

[south_is_colder]

Glancing off towards the bar again, where his favorite waitress was counting up her tips from the evening, Shanks briefly raised up a hand with two fingers extended; smiling, the woman immediately nodded and set to work.

"It's my own little way of livening this place up," he said, chuckling a little. A pair of drinks arrived shortly after, and Shanks, smiling from ear to ear, raised up his glass and held it out towards Cloud. "Maybe you're not the type yet, but you'll get used to it. Cheers!"

[dorarara]

Josuke was out for a walk when he heard the loud noises coming from somewhere. He soon remembered Shanks talking about celebrating the big battle. Maybe that restaurant was where he decided to hold the party! Of course! He ran right over and swung open the door, realizing it was a bar.

Uh oh.

He scanned the crowd for Shanks, and once he spotted him on the corner of the bar, he began to make his way over. The kid stuck out more than he wanted to, and he really hoped no one would check his ID. Josuke looked a bit older than he was. He could make it over to Shanks, no problem!

Right...?

[south_is_colder]

"Hold up there, kid

[dorarara]

"Ahahaha... yeah..." Josuke chuckled nervously. That was WAY too close for comfort. The schoolboy grabbed a seat near Shanks. "I could have taken them, but the last thing I'd want is to start a bar fight when we're supposed to be celebrating the big man's victory!" The bartender walked by when Josuke shouted that...

The boy froze and smiled wide when the barkeep just looked at him. "Um, hello! Can I have a soda?"

[south_is_colder]

Wrenched out from his body almost violently, Shanks emitted a sound akin to a cross between a thick snort, laughter, and a terrible coughing fit likely brought on by the first two.

"Soda!?" he exclaimed loudly, enough to make every one else in the crowd nearby turn, look, and begin to laugh as well. Shaking his head in a teasingly scolding fashion, Shanks threw his arm around Josuke's shoulder. "I let you stay here and this is how you repay me? Acting like a kid?"

Looking to the bartender, Shanks gave the man a quick but painfully obvious wink, one that the one behind the counter instantly recognized. He went to work quickly, tossing together a drink that filled one of the larger tankards straight to the brim. This monstrocity, an unholy concoction of powerful stuff, had a taste that was perfectly acceptible, but was strong enough to bowl even the stiffest and stoutest of drinkers off of their feet like being struck with a club. Shanks scooped it up off of the bar and insistingly pushed it into Josuke's hand

[rutenberg_spy]

Rumors and suggestions made their way to Yozak far too easily, especially when a party was involved. He stepped into the tavern and paused to take in the atmosphere for a moment, breaking into a broad grin. This was what he had been missing - what he was used to. "Ahhh...just like the old days," he said to no one in particular, before going to the bar and ordering a pint.

[south_is_colder]

Before either side had a chance to ask for money or even respond in kind, the red-haired man was terribly quick to insert himself, leaning across the bar between Yozark and the bartender with an amused little smile on his face to serve as a barrier.

"This guy's money is no good here!" he declared firmly. The bartender knew Shanks well enough by now not to argue. He filled Yozark's order, added it up to Shanks' steadily-rising tab, then left.

Shanks, on the other hand, was happy to pester Yozak for some time more. He turned sharply towards his fellow swordsman, his long, red hair tossing as his head moved. "And you, order all you like, my friend, and enjoy."

[layerofdirt]

Toph had heard and felt the ruckus from the streets outside the pub. It was a bit late for someone her age to be walking around, but then again, most girls her age couldn't defend themselves quite like Toph.

Approaching the building, Toph listened to what was going on. It had to be some sort of party. It sounded like everyone was having a really good time. Not wanting to miss out on the fun, Toph strode inside. The fact that she was underage didn't bother her one bit.

Once she entered, the earthbender heard a familiar voice. It was that guy she met at that restaurant not to long ago. Maybe she could get to know him better.

[rutenberg_spy]

The generous offer made Yozak grin widely. "Oho, well! Thank you very much, and don't expect me to protest. You weren't kidding about celebrating, eh?" He plucked up his drink and had a taste, and then leaned an elbow on the bar to face Shanks. "Looks like the locals have a new favorite."

He noticed the movement of color out of the corner of his eye, and glanced to see Toph slinking between the much bigger bar patrons. A kid shouldn't have been in the bar, but Yozak remembered that she was one of the fighters and could hold her own. He waited to see what she was up to.