Kim
It was becoming dark out as Stefan took another swig from his mug, watching the outside world through a window inside the inn. The ale was good, he thought, though he could hardly ever complain about ale. The man was at a table alone, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. It was warm inside the inn, which was quite nice, because he had gotten chilly outside. 

His eyes wandered the inn for a moment. It was becoming quite busy, and the people watching was going to be great, he thought. When he wasn't the drunken fool making a scene, he enjoyed watching a few overly intoxicated patrons. In some cases, it meant he could even have an excuse to get into a fight, though it almost always ended with him getting kicked out.

Or rather than fight, he could find himself someone to stick around with. A new friend perhaps, or a new partner. The prospect made him smile, though he may just be getting a little tipsy. Either way, he took another swig from his mug.
Wm
It had been a *Really* Long day. He'd taken a job escorting a caravan of merchants from Lestos back to Aeterna, and today was the last day of it. It was about a week's journey, so the pay was excellent considering the time it took, and Mortem knew he needed the money. But Lestos was stiflingly hot, and he'd forgotten how irritating it was to be stuck in, essentially, the same place with the same people day after day. Worst of all, his flask had run out yesterday, and he'd already bought, bummed, and otherwise coerced everything he could out of anyone that would give it to him. The small, shiny black pipe hanging from his mouth as he walked into the tavern had the last bit of tobacco he'd managed to get, tendrils of smoke wafting up lazily.

Between the caravan and the heat, he was looking a bit bedraggled but didn't act like it at all. He strolled up to the bar, one hand pushing his long, black hair out of his face, the other waving down the barkeep. He held the pipe in one hand as he ordered his ale, fishing out the required coin. He tried to relish it while he could. Though, for him, it was a hefty sum, he knew his purse would be lighter sooner rather than later. He was excited at the prospect of more drink, different company, perhaps a round of dice or two. His dark blue eyes scanned the room as he waited for his mug, and his thin brows shot up as a wide grin crossed his face. He took the mug with a nod and a smile, heading over to Stefan's table.

Letting the pipe hang lazily from his lips as he spoke, drawling his speech a little, he spoke in a friendly, flirtatious tone, **"Well, I'll be damned if it isn't you! It's been a while..."** He sat down in the chair across from Stefan, draping himself over it like a king might over their throne. He stared into Stefan's eyes as he took a long draw on the pipe, then barely parted his lips to let the smoke drift out. He wasn't one to forget someone he'd had a good time with. And it was always nice to have acquaintances amongst the other mercenaries, to know who you preferred for jobs that required more than one person and gave you that choice. 

**"I don't know about you, but I'm ready to do something stupid."** He smiled mischievously. **"I've been trapped with a caravan for the last week, it's excellent to be back in the city. And,"** He tilted his head slightly, making a show of putting his pipe back in his mouth, **"Excellent to see such a lovely face again."** If it was a shoot and a miss, so what. They could still have fun reminiscing and commiserating over drinks. So long as he didn't have to be with his miserable self, it didn't matter much.
Kim
Stefan hadn't even noticed that Bo had entered the inn until he was approaching the table. He stared at him for a good moment as he approached, trying to recall who exactly he was. Under normal circumstances he likely would have recognized him, but Stefan was quickly realizing that maybe he was drinking a little more than he thought. He hadn't stood up for a while, and he had stopped counting the number of drinks he had, and his breath was beginning to smell quite strongly of ale.

But when Bo sat down in front of him, it finally clicked. Stefan sat up straighter with a wide smile on his face. It had been quite a while since he saw that face. 

"Well, well!" Stefan drawled, his speech slightly slurred as he spoke, "I haven't seen you in a while!" He leaned forward and put his elbows on the table, resting his head on his hands. "Sounds like you do need something stupid to do. I'm sure you've been bored out of your mind." Stefan smiled warmly at him, admiring Bo's face. *It has been too long* He thought, tilting his head slightly. His eyes were fixed on the way Bo put the pipe back into his mouth for a moment. "I haven't seen a face quite like yours in a long time," He said, hesitating for a moment when he realized it didn't quite sound like the compliment he intended, "I mean- I meant that in a good way. I.. Like your face."
Wm
Bo certainly loved to drink in Stefan's stare. Though he was a bit older, the shifter had managed to not terribly look it. The most prominent signs of his age were fine wrinkles on his face and streaks of silver in his hair. That plus his youthful vigor and general recklessness easily made him seem younger. 

The drunken drawl out of his previous lover's mouth was very cute to him. He might be matching it soon. Stefan's warm stare was invigorating. He always enjoyed this moment in such interactions. It was so invigorating to feel the success, the power of his influence. He smiled deviously at catching Stefan exactly as planned with the pipe; it *Always* Worked. 

A bit of friendly toying with the man, to draw out Stefan's evident anxiety, he didn't speak as he slowly emptied the pipe's ashes on the floor, careless of how rude that was, a soft smile on his lips. He laughed equally as softly, a deep resonant sound, **"Aren't we in luck, then? Being in agreement on that, and on being bored."** He reached out to push loose strands of Stefan's hair out of his face, the lightest of touches, intentionally. His long hair swept forward with motion, over his shoulder. 

He leaned back in his chair again, taking swigs from his mug, the picture of ease, and just out of reach. **"What do you suggest then? I haven't been in the city in a while. There are a few tables of dice and cards here, I saw. We could stay here or leave."** His eyes, dark and deep like the ocean, spoke of the other options he didn't intentionally say. He was curious to see where Stefan's mind would go, especially in such a state. With such fun afoot, he might not even drink as much as normal. Time would tell.
Kim
Despite already having a light blush on his cheeks from the drink, Stefan's cheeks seemed to grow more and more red as Bo reached over and pushed his hair out of his face. The man chuckled quietly, feeling almost cold as the man's light touches went away. 

"Well, you did just get here." Stefan said, breaking eye contact for just a moment to take a swig from his mug. "I'm sure we could at least spend some time here. Besides, you just got your drink." He said, gesturing to Bo's mug before he took a second sip from his own. "How about some dice? I haven't played dice with anyone in a while." Stefan tilted his head as he tried to think of more things to do. There were so many things they could do - and frankly, he had some ideas in mind he was sure Bo knew of.

"Maybe.." He started, setting his mug down again, "We could go for a walk through the city, see what else we could find. I'm sure there's plenty of mischief we could get up to." 

By now Stefan was feeling quite relaxed - both from the drink and from being around Bo. He always did enjoy the energy Bo brought. "How about this - whoever wins the first game of dice gets to decide what we get up to after this."
Wm
The mercenary was quite pleased to have run into such good company. Coming home was always a mixed bag of emotions that he had zero interest in sorting. Between his family and his almost-wife that he'd deserted, there was plenty of pain waiting at the edges of his mind. He *Would* Like to see his little sister though; he'd endure her chewing him out just to catch up and see her smile. An aid to shove it all mentally aside, he drained the rest of his mug in one go, his Adam's apple bobbing with each gulp. 

Stefan's lovely shade of red didn't escape his notice, and he turned a piercing gaze on the other man, eyes half-lidded and smirking, **"It would be nice to linger over drinks and dice, a nice chance to catch up a bit."** He flagged down a barmaid, placing his hand on her waist shamelessly as he asked for a glass of whiskey. He returned her smile before putting a few coins in her hand, turning back to his companion rather than watching her walk away. **"A walk could be nice, long as we steer clear of the barracks."** His face briefly turned sour, lighting up again when his whiskey was sat in front of him. **"I don't fancy a lecture from my brother, and he's sure to be lurking there."**

Bo laughed softly, removing his scarf and coat, as it was plenty warm inside. Pushing up the sleeves of his black shirt revealed scars Stefan would've already seen. There were many, many dozens of shallow and deep scars on his left forearm, accompanied by several slashes of varying freshness from the last week; the results of his long use of blood magic. Fishing out two dice carved from bone, he sat the pair gently in the middle of the table, turning his attention to his drink. **"Letting fate decide, that's even better."** He took a sip, savoring the burn of the liquor, then very nearly purred, **"I'd forgotten how** ***Full*** **Of great ideas you were."** He gestured for Stefan to go first, leaning more towards the table, his weight on his his scarred left arm.
Kim
"I would love to catch up over drinks." Stefan said, taking yet another swig from his mug at the mention of more drinks. He really had missed talking to Bo. Even though they had not been very close, aside from... Well, Stefan always liked to talk to Bo. He was one of the few people he would consider trusting, and that was a rarity he always appreciated.

Stefan watched Bo wave the barmaid down and rest his hand on her, clearing his throat for a moment as he rested his hand on his cheek, as though he could hide his blush like that. For a moment he was worried he was getting jealous, but since Bo didn't seem to linger on her, the feeling faded. "Your brother is in town, then? Well, I can promise that we can avoid the barracks if that's what you want."

As Bo pushed his sleeves up, Stefan glanced down to Bo's arms. It pained him to see the scars - he was sure the magic that required it must be a blessing and a curse. Stefan had not seen the magic in action, but he had heard that it was quite powerful, but with a cost. Breaking his train of thought though, Stefan picked up the dice and shook them in his hand. "Great ideas? Let me tell you, they don't come along often. You've just seen a miracle, Bo." He teased, before rolling the dice. One landed on a six, and the other landed on a two.
Wm
Bo found it was typically easier to spend his time with other mercenaries or others considered part of the underbelly of society. That way, he didn't have to lie or exaggerate his work, didn't have to cover up any of his bad habits. People of their ilk didn't tend to care because they had their own bad habits to fight off their own demons. Watching Stefan roll the dice, he shared a little more before making his own inquiries, **"I was down in the Riable Isles before this caravan. Doing any jobs there always feels like a vacation, in part. And I do *So* Enjoy the merfolk."** His brows furrowed a moment, **"Though I don't care for sea druids much."**

His features resumed their playful, flirtatious usual as he asked, **"What about you? What have you been up to?"** Resting his chin on one fist, watching Stefan steadily, he nearly looked like a cat hunting a mouse. **"Meet anyone interesting?"** His tone was purely playful, curious. He didn't tend to get jealous, as he didn't tend to stake claims on anyone. The rare occasions he'd agreed to exclusivity, it hadn't gone well, he didn't stick to it. 

**"In his old age my brother more often is helping train new specialists, he doesn't leave much anymore. I appreciate your understanding."** He winked at his friend, watching him roll the dice and pretending he didn't notice the pained look. Bo laughed heartily at the tease, taking the dice and tossing them himself. One landed on a four while the other was a one. He smirked, sipping more whiskey before speaking, reaching over to put a hand on Stefan's forearm resting on the table. **"Bad luck, as usual. But,"** Another sip, looking into the other's man's eyes, **"Maybe not** ***So*** **Bad. What do you feel like doing, then?"** He was truly up for anything. As long as he fell asleep with the right mix of hormones and/or chemicals in his system, it would keep the nightmares at bay.