Bars are neutral territory? [nazo]

[AKARI MINAMOTO]

Akari ran a lazy finger through the wet sides of her glass, the touch cold and numbing to her senses. If only her brain and heart could be numbed like that...

The soft tunes of lazy music floated throughout the Golden Heaven Bar, mixing in with people's mutters and chatters and the occasional loud laugh from the customers who had drunk too much. It was one of the classier drinking bars in the metropolitan Goldenrod City, but it had a sort of comforting home-y feel to it, and it wasn't exclusive to the rich and famous. This bar was one of her better winding-down spots, and she was frequent enough a customer for the bartender to recognize her, and sometimes give her drinks on the house.

She pushed her glass forward a bit, and the middle-aged bartender quickly refilled the glass with her choice of drink for the night, along with a couple more ice cubes. She nodded in appreciation before downing half of it without flinching. Sighing again, she looked around her. The bar was dark as part of the setting and the atmosphere, only low-light lamps were used. There were only 4 people here at the counter, including her, and the other three, seated quite a distance from her, appeared to be businessmen who'd come to get wasted. The other already was, with his head propped on the counter.

Ah... being alone here sure was boring. Sometimes she roped people from the Ranger HQ, but everyone had been rather busy lately with the Johto reconstruction efforts, including her. She just couldn't shake off the need to drink and wind down like this. Since she was by herself, there was no one to talk to. Occasionally she could chat with the bartender, but he appeared to be busy, and she wouldn't be so selfish as to keep him from working. She was too sober for that. And well... She always was sober, no matter how much she drunk.

[NAZO FUMETSU]

It was not often that he frequented a bar, less one that was as popular as this one. He had sneaked in, dressed in clothes that wouldn't reveal a lot about him. He had wished that his Luxray walked alongside him though. The Pokémon was a comforting presence, even though he would deny that with everything he had. His hand nearly dropping to touch the creature's head before stopping half way. A yawn split his lips instead and he scanned the crowd, searching for a spot that was free and wouldn't invite too much conversation. A woman sat alone and his lips curled up slightly, amusement or disgust was hard to say. He did saunter closer and took the free seat next to her. An elbow landed on the bar and after a while the bartender bustled over. He ordered a drink, not caring exactly what he would be given, just that it needed to be something alcoholic and then turned his attention tot he woman next to him "You do not seem happy to be here." He offered, raising an eyebrow slightly as if that would invite a reply to his statement. He sometimes didn't know a lot about tact, jumping into a conversation without looking twice. There was a glass placed in front of him and he took it, raising it slightly in thanks and then took a sip. It burned going down, but he welcomed it and him being human was the only thing preventing him from purring. He kept watching her out of his peripheral vision however, fingers of his free hand tapping lightly against the wood in front of him.

Sorry for the terribly late reply!

[AKARI MINAMOTO]

Akari had been focused on her glass, mind blank, but she snapped out of it when she heard a voice near her. She was only vaguely aware of someone seating beside her, and did not expect whoever it was to make some conversation. She turned to take a good look at whoever it was, her eyes taking in the man's appearance and expression. But she did not reply at once, she drained the glass she'd been gazing in concentration at before, before she replied to his statement without looking at him. "No I am not. It's more of... you could say, bored. And having so many things to think about when I would rather not."

Strangers making conversation was normal when one was out drinking, Akari knew. Most of them were smooth talkers, the ones who flirt after the alcohol has lowered their inhibitions and sense. Some were the talkative people who would tell you their life story in one sitting. This guy... Akari can't tell. He seemed like he was making conversation for the hell of it, which wasn't that strange. But there was something about his tone and his expression that got Akari slightly baffled.

Maybe she could find if she kept this conversation up on her end.



[ooc: Ah, no! Better late for 4 months than never! ]