Janine
*Qualice the bookish caster is at the bar, after a hard day of work. She's just finished her teaching for the week and now she can relax, so she decided to get a beer and some food. Qualice had heard that this tavern makes great food, she sure hopes it lives up to her expectations, as she's too tired to be content with mediocre food. So she hopes with the rest of her energy that the food she'd order is good, not that she had much energy in the first place...*
Gary
Takeshi didn't work much anymore. Back when he enjoyed the thrill of the fight, when his abilities were growing with no end, he worked. The Oni crushed bandits, saved caravans, and enjoyed the thrill of it as he did so, as well. But now? He just couldn't get into the excitement of it all. It felt... Dull, like his club. Moping around in the bar was usually what he did, and recently, even that didn't get him fun. Currently in his human form, the Oni stares out into the front of him as he drinks his ale, his chin resting on the palm of his hand. "I wish I could work again..." Even that was said to no one, as Takeshi really didn't have friends to drink with.
Janine
*Qualice hears Takeshi's anguish and responds to him* "Why would you want to go to work? Do you have no money?" *Qualice looks at the Oni, but then sighs* "I'm sorry, I've just had a long day at work today..." *Qualice facepalms, likely at herself, like why would she lash out like that, even though it wasn't that bad, Qualice is just too polite. Qualices horns are now much easily noticeable, curved into a full circle.*
Gary
The Oni tilts his head towards the woman. Someone was speaking to him? That didn't particularly happen a lot! So, a bit too excited for the newfound conversation, the Oni replies to the question with a tired smile, "I miss the thrill of it." He seemed to be wearing armor, now that the caster was focusing on him. Also, he carried a massive black iron club that seemed to be way too big for the man. Another oddity was the horns on his forehead, blue and bone-like. They reflected the light well, and shone as if they had been polished. "I'm still a mercenary, I just don't look for jobs that much anymore."
Janine
"A mercenary, eh? I respect that profession, do you explore lots of hidden places? Or have you not because you have no jobs?" *Qualice is looking at the Oni eagerly for him to share his stories. At this time the waiter gives Qualice her food and she starts eating.* "I'm sorry if I'm being overly pushy, I'm just... A scholar, yeah, and I'm curious about the forgotten stuff in the world."
Gary
Takeshi laughs, straightening his posture to a straighter one. His laugh sounded low and grumbly, but still full of joy. Like a child. His laughter soon stops, and in the midst of calming down, Takeshi attempts to answer the woman's question, "Well, uh, I think I would be disappointing you by saying that I usually, uhm, fight other people rather then look for hidden places. I'm an Oni, I'm not too brainy, nor am I too... Well, explore-y. I guess we're kind of like the Mogash, in a way. We're rare to see, buy sought out for our proficiency in battle."
Janine
*Nom nom nom and then says with some food in her mouth* "I see... I kinda hoped to hear about an interesting place... But no worries! Do you have any stories about combat, then?" *She doesn't seem as interested in this part, but she's still maintaining eye contact.*
Gary
"Ah, stories about combat, you say?" The Oni thumbs his chin after taking a drink from his mug of ale. "Well, there is this one time that I fought a dark elf and this human who... Summoned wolves. This was about a month ago. I was trying to train a bit, like I usually do, then this elf walks up to me, then asks for a duel. It was the weirdest thing, but I said yes. We fight it out, then out of nowhere, this human joins in. We have a three way brawl, I summon an ice golem, and because it's an ice golem, I manage to force both of them to stop, then become buddies. A weird duo, but they were definitely a fun little experience. How about you? Do you have any stories of your own?"
Janine
"Ah none really... I did study archeology... Heh... Heh" *Qualice feels so insignificant compared to this Oni, she has literally never adventured in her life, what's more she studied in archeology. You'd think if you were smart in the ways of archeology you'd have been in a ruins before, but nope! No exploration whatsoever.* "You must have an exciting life... When you're not held up in not finding a job."
Gary
Takeshi drinks up the rest of his ale with a sip, then sets the mug down gently in front of him. "Well, I think used to have quite life," Takeshi replied, a nostalgic smile on his face. Back when he was just starting out as a teenage adventurer. Back when he ventured out into the world, away from his tribal clan, and started his own tale of hardships. Ah, good memories. Why was he just sitting in a bar, complacent? He was Takeshi, a Blue Oni with enough mana to drown a human out. He had more than the usual dark elf, what did he have to fear? As usual, it was unemployment. "I don't really know what I'm doing anymore. I want to go out there like I used to, but I really don't think I can. It's hard being a mercenary, sometimes, you just aren't what they're looking for." Setting his ale aside, the blue Oni drums his fingers on the top of the wooden table.
Janine
"Oh come on! You can do it! There's plenty of people who need help with extermination of rats or collection of valuables. But for now, let's just drink!" *Qualice orders an ale and starts drinking it,* "So other than the lack of work, how are ya?"
Gary
The blue Oni nods half heartedly as the caster suggests the extermination of rats. "Other then the financial crisis I'm in and the lack of work, I'm doing quite well. I figure that I can probably get this mood off of me after a bit of wandering like I usually do." The Blue Oni yawns into his hand, then looks at the caster again. "So, what do you do for a living?"
Janine
"I teach, mostly young kids" *Gulps another gulp of her drink and then continues* "I'm well versed enough to be a professer of magic, but it's hard to get into that job, so I'm more of an alternative in the job."
Gary
"Ah, a teacher? That's the complete opposite from my line of work. I bet it's pretty stable, huh?" The Blue Oni jokes, a tired smile on his face. "A professor of magic sounds much more important, though. Any plans on that route of life? Or do you plan on teaching kids for the time being?" The Blue Oni seemed genuinely curious about her job. The culture of Oni had teachers, yes, but none with such proficiency as the human empire's government-funded ones.
Janine
"Yeah it is, most magic is learnt through cultural means. Water Macen learns water magic because their culture practices it often, Pale Oni such as myself are the healing kind. Not much people learns any magic more in-depth than that, if they even learn their cultural magic. This is why there's not much schools or programs for them, even for Macen." *Qualice finishes up her drink, it seems as if she loves speaking about magic.*
Gary
"I've never particularly met a pale Oni, but I have heard that they are the diplomats of our race. Is that true?" Takeshi orders another mug of ale after handing the empty mug to a worker of the tavern. "I have met some red Oni, though. Fearsome guys, if I've ever seen them." Takeshi chuckles, thinking back to the occasion when he had sparred a red Oni. It was quite the battle.
Janine
"Really? You haven't? But yes, it's true, most Pale Oni live amongst other races nations, due to our inherent ease of learning of languages. Speaking of Oni's, you're one too? I'm assuming you're a blue oni."
Gary
"Well, yeah, from the horns, right? I'm a blue Oni. Master of ice magic and swinging my club very, very hard. I also do some summoning, but only big ones." The Blue Oni does a mini-bow by nodding, then looks at the Pale Oni's horns. "You might be mistaken for other races, with that kind of a horn. It looks like a ram's." Takeshi's horns were straight and jagged, and looked as if he could possibly gore someone with them.
Janine
"Yes, I know, it's an odd horn, but it's fine," *Qualice's horns are smooth and no sharp point to be found, it seems like she could cause no harm with it, but she continues* "It helps when I'm teaching kids, sharp horns are quite intimidating. So I'm glad I have these horns, even if they are weaker than most others."
Gary
"That's a great way to love yourself." The Blue Oni nods, understanding that the Pale one had a reason to not want a stronger body, nor a sharper horn. The difference in views could sometimes be staggering, and the blue Oni understood that. "I think my horns are pretty amazing as well, for my line of work, anyways." He was about halfway through his second mug of ale. Maybe a bit tipsy, but not too much.
Janine
*Qualice gets her second and last mug o' ale, she isn't the one to drink much* "Of course! So it's obvious you are the better adventurer out us 2, not that I went on an adventure before but anyways. I hope you get a job soon, you probably will do a great job out of it!"
Gary
"Well, I hope you become a professor of magic, fellow Oni." He raises his mug in a mini-cheer, then finishes it with a gulp. "Now, I have to get going. My transformation duration isn't going to last too much longer. Although, I will see you around."