John
*Björn, calm as ever, simply replied to him, not breaking eye contact.* "Myself and my partner will try to keep the volume lower. Thanks for the drinks." *He took the mugs I one hand by the handles and walked back over to Ves at the table, carrying the coin purse in his spare hand.*

"Here we go. That one smells like piss so I'll assume that's the Ale. So here is your's." *He placed her large mug before her and sat down across from her. He hesitated with his own drink, eyeing her first to make sure she is okay and for her to try it first. Björn could lie all he wanted but he was a bad liar; he was anxious about the drink in front of him. He didn't want to drink it. Not just yet.*

"You okay Ves?" *He leaned back in his chair and paused looking around the room, not spotting the Kobold bard on his blindside.* "The owner says we need to keep it down or we will be on the street."

||
Christina
Ves listened to the Kobold play, her tail twitching along to the melody. Maybe this place wasn't so bad. If there was another of her kind here then surely some of the people would be accepting. Right? Maybe the unkindness and suspicion wasn't because she was a Kobold at all. Maybe it was just because she was a stranger.

She looked up as Björn returned carrying two mugs and the coin purse. She took the offered drink with a warm smile, wrapping her tiny hands around the large mug. Giving it a tentative sniff, she took a small sip. It was just as wonderful as she remembered and Ves took a moment to savor the flavor. Then she took another drink.

Her ears twitched at Björn's warning and she nodded. "I'm sorry I've caused us trouble. I shouldn't have been so loud. I just couldn't... Seem to help myself..." She explained, her blush creeping back across her face. Was it normal to be so loud while making love? Or was she some kind freak?

||
John
"I do not care what noise you make. As long as you are true to yourself, it is a good noise to me." *He gave a reassuring smile before sniffing the drink like she did. He took a light sip and his face scrunched up.* "Good Gods, it tastes like piss!" *He looked shocked for a moment, before taking another sip.*

*Björn was somehow fitting well into the tavern aesthetic. His large frame seemed to keep most away while he peacefully and calmly chatted to Ves. Maybe they saw him as the freak. A larger than life Goliath with a small Kobold in tow. It sounded like a criminal or bounty Hunter and looked just the same. However, the way he held his mug seemed to showcase a different side to him. A quiet and contemplative side as he tried to analyse just what made the drink taste like swill. Nonetheless, it was better than the Grog he tried on his 18th.*

"You seem happy with your drink. I am glad. However, the mug is large for you. Will you be able to finish your drink?" *He tilted his head like a puppy, confused and trying to understand her.*

||
Christina
Ves chuckled at his comment. "I don't like ale much either. Would you like to try some of my mead? I don't intend to finish all of it anyway. I'd be sick if I tried." She offered the mug to him with a warm smile. He seemed to be settling well. Whatever had caused him dismay earlier seemed to have passed.

The cheerful sea shanty came to an end and the nearby bard began to strum a softer, more mournful tune on his lute. Ves glanced his way, seeing the Kobold was still looking at her with a mischievous grin on his face. It made her uneasy. Why was he smiling like that? Did he know something? She tried to ignore him.

"How many days do you think we should stay in Broughton?" She asked Björn to distract herself. "I was thinking... Maybe we could try and earn some more coin somehow. Maybe someone around here needs some help. You're strong and capable and I'm small and nimble. We'd make a good team. That is if you wanted to stay for a few days. It might be better to keep moving. I'm not entirely certain."

||
John
*He gave a small look at her mug and nodded his head. He paused for a moment, searching for a word to say... Give? No. Yoink? Nah that's not it... He gave up and took the mug from her in silence. He gave a cautious sniff and brought the mug to his lips... Ahh that was better. His face relaxed and his eyebrows raised a bit.* "Mmh." *He lowered the mug, not realising his mustache had turned a foamy blonde.*

"That's sweeter... Its nice. Suits you." *He took one more sip before passing it over.* "...Thanks." *He found the word he was looking for after all.*

*Björn's ears pricked to the noise.* "What is that twanging noise Ves? It feels... Sad. Why does noise feel sad?" *He raised his brow, looking around, the source of the noise still in his blind spot. He noticed his beard was dripping and that soon distracted him, wiping it with the back of his large hand.*

"Ves you could have told me I was blonde!" *A slight tinge of an annoying tease came from his as he smoothed his beard out. A small clump fell onto the table and his face dropped...* "Pardon me." *He swiped the clump of hair and went to the toilets. He nearly walked into the ladies before he saw a woman come out... He made note that the sign was not a warrior's kilt and moved to the men's.*

||
Christina
"Mead is better," She agreed with a smile. "But you've got to be more careful. It's easier to drink, but it'll still get you drunk." She chuckled a little when she noticed the foam on his beard, but did not comment on the situation. She was getting used to his messy habits.

"That's music. He's just playing a sad song, that's all," She tried to explain. When he noticed his beard, he stood with a teasing comment and excused himself. Ves watched him go, blinking a little in surprise. When she turned back around, she was somehow unsurprised to see the Kobold standing there at the table.

Ves tensed all over, not entirely sure how this interaction was going to go. Of course he had waited until her Goliath guardian had stepped away to approach. He *Was* A cowardly Kobold, after all. Ves tried to shake the thought away. She didn't even know this person. She shouldn't be making snap judgments based on appearances or race.

**"Don't let ol' Maxwell get you down, lass,"** He said without preamble, nodding at the barkeeper. **"He's like that to all the newcomers in town. He was a regular ol' grump when we first met and now look. He even lets me play my lute in here."** Maxwell made a rude gesture, then turned away. The Kobold laughed and shook his head, his eyes dancing. **"Besides. You weren't all that loud. Just sounded like you were having a good time up there."**

Ves' scales turned bright red and the Kobold laughed again, looking amused. **"My name's Kip. Pleasure to meet you. What brings you through Broughton?"** Without waiting for permission, Kip dragged a chair over and took a seat at the table. Ves was a little impressed by his boldness. At least he hadn't tried to take Björn's seat. Still, she felt and looked uncomfortable, glancing towards the toilets to see if Björn was coming back. 

||
John
*Björn walked into the toilets and began to lightly panic. His beard was falling off... Shit. He knew what he had to do. He went into his pocket and applied a white cream to the patch and fixed it back to his face. He did not need this getting worse than it was.*

"Damn fucking beard. If I see that Head Slaver I'll gut him like... Like a fish and I'll wear his entrails as jewelry." *He went to slam his fist into the porcelain sink but hesitated... The Master of the House would hear the commotion and Ves would get fined more money. They could lose the room if he was not careful... He held his amulet and said a small prayer under his breath.*

*Back in the main hall, Ves would notice a familiar site outside one of the windows. A red sheen of a certain Corvid familiar. His eyes locked to her's before looking towards Kip... Somehow it's aura radiated annoyance.*

||
Christina
She tried to look everywhere besides at Kip, hoping he would get the hint and leave her alone. Still, Ves was too polite to be outwardly rude. She offered the other Kobold a nod. "I am Ves," She said without thinking. She immediately regretted her words. She should have had a fake name ready! What if they were looking for her? She was still wanted for helping slaves escape. That's why she had been on the run in the first place. Yet Kip showed no recognition of the name, eagerly awaiting the rest of her reply.

"And we're just passing through. We're travelers," She explained. Luckily she didn't have to say more. Kip was definitely a talker and started up again. **"Travelers! Ah, a wonderful profession. Though I did overhear you saying you were low on funds. Would you by chance be looking for jobs while you're here?"** Ves shifted in her seat uncomfortably, her tail curling around her ankle. "I don't know yet. We haven't made any certain plans."

Ves' eyes were wandering away again and she noticed the Corvid perched on the windowsill. It was Björn's familiar, wasn't it? Ves couldn't remember its name. And why did it seem so annoyed? She glanced in the direction Björn had disappeared and completely missed the next thing Kip said. It wasn't until he said her name that she turned back towards him.

**"I said, I might have a job you two would be interested in. If you are keen to stay for a few days at least. It pays well."**

||
John
*The familiar pecked at the glass, looking around annoyed and confused. It's eye was pressed to the window, a translucent hue. When someone looked over to see what it was, it faded from view temporarily. It seemed to only want Ves to notice. It held it's wings up in the air for a moment and made a silent caw. It was definitely annoyed at something.*

*Björn was sat in the bathroom, waiting for the beard to dry. He was worried and anxious, needing this to be hurried up. He didn't like waiting here so long and he had a feeling Ves needed him... He tapped his amulet a few times while he waited, in the exact same moment, The Familiar decided to peck aggressively at the window frame. It's red intricate patters pulsed like a heartbeat.*

"Hurry up damn beard... I swear to the Gods I will burn that Orc alive.."
*He paced up and down the toilet hall, glancing at the mirror every once in a while.*

||
Christina
"Oh, ah, maybe..." Ves said uncertainly to Kip. "Give me a moment." She climbed down from the chair and moved to the window where the bird was perched, apparently trying to get her attention. Kip turned in his chair to watch her, his eyes lingering a bit too long on her tail, his smile never fading. 

Ves opened the window for the familiar, tilting her head a little at it. What was wrong with it? It had never paid her much mind before. So why now? "Are you alright?" She asked the bird, concerned. A few of the other patrons were watching as well, perhaps wondering why the peculiar Kobold was now opening random windows.

And where was Björn? He was taking an awfully long time. Was something wrong? Should she go check on him? Ves' tail flicked back and forth anxiously. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice Kip's approach. So when the other Kobold spoke behind her, she jumped half a foot. **"What's that, Ves? A pet? Don't let Maxwell see you letting it inside. He's not fond of pets."**

||
John
*The familiar hopped into her hands as a tall, dark shadow covered both Kobolds in its wake. A deep, coarse and gravely voice spoke with a hint of malace.* "It's no pet." *Björn was stood directly over Kip. His eyes locked onto the back of his head. No, this wasn't Björn, this was the Björn from the Pits. His upper lip was slightly raised on the top corner as he spoke. His gaze was steely and unwavering.*

*The familiar hopped onto his shoulder from Ves and made a silent caw once more, it's red eyes joining Björn in the stare at Kip.* "And you are... Who exactly?" *He huffed a little bit. He showed no signs of aggression - which was the troubling part. If Björn wanted to show rage, he would be dripping with aggression. But he wasn't. He was calm as anything. Only Ves would be able to see the deep-seated rage building behind his golden eye.*

"Ves. You should go back to the table, don't let your Mead get warm." *He slightly stepped aside to give her ample space to move around him.* "Shrike will join you for the moment." *The Familiar, apparently called Shrike, hopped down onto Ves' head and peered down from above her brow, trying to distract her from her anxiety.*

||
Christina
Ves lifted her eyes as a shadow fell upon her. She was relieved to see Björn standing there and smiled warmly in response. Kip didn't look nearly so pleased. He had whirled around to face the giant, clearly alarmed, and was smiling toothily, a nervous cringe on his face. He rested a hand on his chest as he caught his breath.

**"Easy there, I meant no harm,"** Kip said. **"I'm called Kip. I was just chatting with Ves about a potential job. I overheard her saying you might be in need of some coin and I thought I'd offer to help."** He held out his small hand for the Goliath to shake.

Ves could see Björn's rage building and gently touched his arm, trying to comfort him. Then she nodded to his words and began to walk back to the table, looking up at the bird on her head. "Would you like to try some mead, Shrike? It's good." She cast a glance back at Kip and Björn, still fretting a little, but climbed back into her chair to wait. She took a long drink from her mug before offering it to Shrike. 

||
John
*Shrike made yet another silent caw and leaned his head towards the mead, he dipped his beak to it and made a clicking sound as he tried it. He then hopped down off her head and stumbled around before dramatically falling onto his back on the table. Clearly this was an attempt at entertaining her but it was sweet that he was trying.*

*Björn on the other hand...* "Hmmm..." *With a small curl of his lips into a crude, closed-lips smile... He grabbed Kip's wrist, applying enough pressure to the small joint to give discomfort, yet it took no effort at all.* "Ursa Majora." *He leaned in close, his Scot accent becoming a low growl.* "And when you address, look at or breathe near her you do it with respect - I saw the way your eyes lingered on her Tail. She's off limits. Am. I. Clear?" *His face was calm, emotionless besides the small smile that faded to a blank expression as he spoke. He let go of Kip's arm.* "If you have need of our services, sit with us and speak."

*He cleared his voice and looked down at him, his voice returning to normal.* "You play your wooden block well." *He turned around to walk back to Ves, grabbing his chair and sitting down opposite her. One would think after an altercation like that, he would stick to her side. He would do no such thing. She was a brave and clever thing; if she needed him, she would move herself. Besides, he had faith his little 'chat' with Kip had made the tone clear. Björn made a grunt in an unknown language and Shrike immediately stood up and nodded its head a few times, before flying over to him, resting on his furs. Ves would be able to notice his beard no longer had a patch missing.*

||
Christina
Ves was distracted from Björn and Kip by the corvid's antics, grinning a little as Shrike stumbled about and fell over. She giggled into her drink as she took another sip. She hadn't really had much interaction with the familiar before now and found him quite interesting.

Kip's green eyes widened slightly as the Goliath took his wrist. The man's strength was clearly overwhelming to the male Kobold. **"Of course, of course! We all heard her screams, Majora. She's off limits. Got it,"** Kip said quickly. He rubbed his wrist once Björn had let go and cleared his throat. 

Ves looked up as Björn returned to the table, taking note of his beard. Yet she couldn't say anything with Kip hovering about, who trotted after Björn as well, still smiling his toothy smile as he climbed back into his seat. **"Thank you. The lute is a passion of mine. But I'm actually a captain as well. I own a decently sized vessel that I use for fishing. My crew have decided to take a break for a bit and I'm having some difficulty making up for their absence."**

**"A man of your size and strength would prove helpful in hauling in the nets. And Ves, I know how nimble our Kobold fingers are."** Was he being suggestive? Surely not after Björn's warning. **"You could help mend the nets. There is plenty of work to be done, but only if you're interested."**

Ves listened to Kip's proposal quietly, her tail flicking back and forth. It was honest work and they did need the coin. Ves was more worried about their money situation than she revealed to Björn. The money she *Did* Have was from stolen gems as well. Making some honest coin might ease her troubled conscience.

||
John
*If looks could kill, Shrike would have murdered Kip tenfold by now. He glared at him from the fur perch of Björn's shoulder, not moving but simply staring. Björn made a different grunt this time and Shrike bobbed up and down in response, flitting over to Ves once more. He looked at Kip with a look of indifference.*

"Lute... So that's what it is called. You catch the fish, huh? Like the fish we ate here today?..." *A plan was forming inside of his brain.* "What would the pay be for such a job?"

*He sipped his ale, hiding the fact of how he felt about the taste behind his mug. He didn't exactly like this guy, but he knew fear and obedience when he saw it; he lived it after all. When he gave him that warning, he was sure Kip believed his death was upon him. The fact he still offered them a job meant he needed muscle, or he was desperate, or both... Either way working for gold would be useful and honest work could help him hide from the Orcs since they can't take slaves from employed men. Perhaps... He hoped Ves would catch onto his thinking and play along when he proposed the next question.* "What about payment in gold, and a portion of the fish I catch, you're in need of muscle and as far as I see here, you're not going to find better. I'd wager I have the strength to pull more nets than your entire crew."

*Meanwhile Shrike was busy hopping around Ves' mug.*

||
Christina
Ves held out her mug for Shrike to investigate. It was actually more empty than it probably should have been and it wasn't just because she was sharing. Ves wasn't taking her own advice and was drinking a little too much, a little too quickly. It just had not hit her yet.

Björn's words made her ears perk up a little. What was on his mind? Did he have some kind of plan? Ves would have been lying if she denied interest as well. She had never been on a boat before and the idea of being out over the ocean was fascinating to her. She just didn't want her curiosity getting the better of her. Yet if Björn was interested as well...

"That's true," She said casually. "You won't get better help anywhere else." Kip leaned back in his chair and chuckled. **"You're right about that. The folks 'round here are lazy and slow."** A few people glanced their way and sneered at the comment. **"So yeah. Gold and fish as payment. You're thinkin' like a fisherman already, Majora. It's perfect."**

Ves nodded a little, looking away from Shrike to meet Björn's gaze. "What do you think? It sounds like a fair price for what we offer." Kip certainly seemed a little desperate, but then again it was unlikely anyone else would hire them. Were they all getting lucky? Getting what they needed at the moment? It made Ves a little uneasy. She thanked Grikta solemnly and looked at Björn expectantly. She wanted it to ultimately be his choice. 

||
John
*Shrike hopped around the Mug and tilted his head. Flitting onto the handle and peering inside, making silent squawks at her in protest, flapping his arms about.*

*Björn nodded his head, thinking to himself...* "You have a deal." *He offered his hand to shake and... Björn looked to the door, he felt a strange feeling of Deja Vu... Like someone should have come in. He looked across the room and saw a vaguely familiar Half-Elf drinking with friends at the bar. Why did he know him? The feeling was gone as fast as it came and he turned back to Kip.*

"Guessing we start tomorrow?" *He sat back in his chair, taking a sip.* "How early do you sail? What do we need to bring?" *Björn was silently curious, before turning to Ves.* "You're okay with this right? Want another drink?" *He looked to her and Shrike before making a strange grunt. Shrike turned around and began squawking at him silently too. He rolled his eye at the small familiar.*

||
Christina
Kip reached forward to take Majora's hand, giving a firm handshake - for a Kobold anyway. The captain looked quite pleased with himself. He reached for his nearby lute and lightly strummed a tune. **"We need to set off a good few hours before dawn. All you need to bring are yourselves and maybe a lunch, assuming you don't like raw fish."**

"Yes," Ves agreed with a slow smile. "Another drink, please." Was she slurring just a little? Her eyes were unfocused as she finished off the rest of the mead in her cup. **"Do you mind if I join you two for a drink? No ale though. I'll bring the good stuff. You two stay here. My treat."**

Kip hopped down and walked across the room to where Maxwell leaned, talking quietly to the taller Shapeshifter. Ves watched the other Kobold for a moment before looking up at Björn. "Is this a good idea? We're awfully close to the border still. Perhaps we should keep moving?" 

||
John
*Björn watched him strum a tune before turning to Ves.* "Sure. Don't go anywhere." *It was then that Kip decided to offer free drinks for them. Björn slowly sat down and looked to Ves, putting his hand on her's.* "You okay? Shrike filled me in... I gave him a talking to at least, if he is any trouble while we work, take this."

*Björn took his amulet off and Shrike lay on the table and faded away. He placed it around her neck and tightened it to fit her smaller neck.* "This is the last thing I have from my family... The one before the Pits. Touch it and Shrike will be with you wherever you go. If he starts anything and I mean *Anything*, tap it and he will come get me. I'll make him double the pay or get a fist to the teeth." *He smiled a bit, placing his fist softly against her jaw.*

"And I'll be sure to keep an eye on you. You'll be safe with me." *He opened his fist to be a palm and rubbed her cheed with his finger, at this distance even with the blur of her vision, she would be able to see more scars that cover his knuckles and arms.*

"We can work here, get some money. The Orcs won't suspect a fishing boat out at sea when they arrive by land, if they get past the border that is. Let me handle that worry, okay Ves?"

||
Christina
"I'm okay, why do you- oh. Well. I don't think Kip means any harm. He's just bolder than what I'm used to. He comes on rather strong, doesn't he? Thank you for talking to him." What had that talk been about, she wondered. Kip hadn't seemed particularly cowed afterward, at least not that Ves could see. He was still grinning his nervous grin.

Ves could not help but admire the amulet as Björn removed it from around his neck. The lizard part of her brain had perked up around the *Shiny.* Ves was still very much a Kobold, after all. She allowed him to place it around her own slender neck, but protested softly. "You shouldn't give me this, Björn. It's yours. It belongs to you. What if I lose it somehow? Or break it?"

She met his eye and smiled, leaning into his touch. She wanted more of it and reached out to take his hand, preventing him from pulling away. She wanted to fuss some more, but for some reason she was feeling *Really* Relaxed. She knew he was right. He would keep her safe. This was the best plan and the best course of action. No one would suspect that the Goliath had suddenly decided to become a fisherman.

Ves was lost in Björn's gaze, her eyes glittering again, when Kip reappeared with a glass bottle filled halfway with an amber liquid. He looked between the pair and raised his eyes, grinning widely. **"Did I interrupt something? Should I excuse myself?"** Ves instantly began to blush, but she didn't immediately pull back away from Björn. Instead she smiled shyly and lowered her eyes. 

Deciding not to be discouraged, Kip set out three glasses on the table and poured each of them a small shot. Well. Small by Majora's standards. Large for Ves and himself. **"Come on. Let's drink!"**

||
John
*He slowly drew his hand away and looked at the drink before them. Using his thumb and index finger, he lifted the "Small" Glass, inspecting it. He squinted before grabbing Ves' and swapping their drinks, doing the same with her's.*

"I'll take this one." *He placed it down. And looked to Ves and Kip.* "If you want to drink, we drink. But Ves. You won't break or lose it. You're clever. Trust in yourself, okay?" *Björn was reassuring her as best he could.*

*Under the table, his hand had balled into a white-knuckled fist. He placed his fist against his knee and with his other foot, he applied a large amount of pressure to it. Pain released some endorphins to him. He was conditioned for combat - groomed for pain to not be an issue. Sometimes he needed a bit himself just to take away the rage. Sometimes... He needed to let the beast from it's cage.*

*He lifted his glass up after sorting his anger in secret and held it high enough that the Kobolds could still reach.* "Skaal."

||
Christina
Ves and Kip watched as Björn swapped the drinks around. Shrugging a little, the male Kobold took his drink in hand and raised it high. **"To new partnerships! Cheers!"** Ves smiled at Björn's encouragement, feeling a little better. He believed in her. Perhaps she should have had more faith in herself. She took her glass and lifted it as well, clearly copying them both. 

**"It goes better if done quickly,"** Kip encouraged before downing his own shot. Ves followed his example and *Immediately* Regretted it. The alcohol burned like fire and she coughed and gasped, wheezing a little. Kip chuckled at her reaction and for a moment it looked as though he might reach out to pat her on the back. The Kobold changed his mind and refilled all of their cups instead. 

Ves shook her head and pushed her glass away. "No more for me," She wheezed. The room was already starting to spin and she was beginning to wonder if she had made a mistake. Kip made a pouty face, but shrugged and looked to Björn. **"How about you? Are you done as well?"** Was that a challenge in his eyes? Kip took Ves' glass and downed it without hesitation. 

||
John
*He swigged the shot as it went down his gullet like cough syrup... It burned like a hot poker against freshly opened wounds... The flavour was intense, making his eyes want to water... The feeling made him feel like he was being waterboarded... He fucking loved every second of the torture that followed that shot. Björn bit his lip and laughed.* "Now that is torture."

*He turned to Ves and rubbed her head.* "It's okay Ves, don't worry." *Björn then looked to Kip... He was challenging him. A silent rage bubbled.* "My priority lies with Ves. If she is okay, I'll have another."

*He held her face in his hands to stop her spinning in her mind.* "Breathe in and out. Remember the mantra. You are good. It's like inhaling toxic fumes; the more you panic, the more it burns." *He grabbed her waterskin and opened it, putting it to her lips.* "Drink."

||
Christina
**"Of course, of course,"** Kip chuckled as he leaned back in his chair. Ves looked up at Björn with watery eyes and took a deep breath. *Be brave. Be strong.* She took a long drink from the waterskin and swallowed hard. Slowly the burn began to subside. "I'm okay, I'm okay," She said with a shaky smile. "Thank you Björn... But I'm okay. I just wasn't expecting such a burn! I think I'll stick to mead."

Kip was watching the pair out of the corner of his eye, swirling his glass lazily. He idly picked a piece of lint from his shirt and flicked it onto the floor. **"If you want to take her to bed, I'll understand. You can just meet me down at the docks two hours before dawn."** He met Majora's eye and grinned his toothy grin.

"No, no!" Ves objected. "I don't wanna ruin your evening. Just drink! I'll watch. It'll be fun," She insisted. "I mean, if that's what you want to do." Ves hiccuped loudly and giggled, her scales turning red. Kip shrugged and looked at Björn expectantly. **"Your choice, Majora."**

||
John
"Okay Ves, you can watch." *And so the games begin. Björn grabbed his second shot and swigged it back. God he loved the feeling of that pain. The taste was better than ale, worse than mead. He would deal with it.*

"However this is not a competition this is simply a few drinks. I won't engage in games." *He shook his head and he slid his glass over to Kip once more, his mind was more focused on Ves but... He felt so warm. Seriously, seriously warm. Did he need a piss? No it was a trick of the mind.*

"What even is this stuff? Some kind of... Sap or syrup?" *He blinked a few times, forcing himself to focus.* "It's very different to normal drinks."

||
Christina
Ves wondered what the two males liked about the fiery drink. She hated every swallow of it. Mead was much better in her opinion. Right now, however, she sipped at her waterskin and tried to control her own buzz. Her toes were tingling and the edges of her vision blurred. She felt silly and happy and all she really wanted to do was climb her way into Björn's lap. 

**"Who said anything about playing games?"** Kip asked with a twitch of his tail. He downed another shot and refilled their glasses yet again. **"It's just another kind of alcohol, rarer and harder to make and much stronger. You might want to take it slower, Majora, if you're not used to drinking."**

Ves leaned forward, gazing across the table at Björn with hazy eyes. She brushed her leg against his, as though afraid he would forget she was there if she didn't remind him. Why was he so far away? Would anybody notice if she climbed under the table? No one was paying them any mind anymore. Who would even know?

||
John
"The look in your eye tells me it may be a game." *He gave a small huff before taking another shot.* "I used to drink the Grog back where I'm from. Used to sneak it into my c-...Room."

*Björn felt her brush his leg and returned in kind, he knew she was there and placed a hand on her's for a moment before getting a refill. He cared about her so much, he felt great... Like wow. Why is she not hugging him? Did he do wrong? No surely not, he's Björn after all! He's a Firebrand.*

*He downed another shot and winced, before biting his lip again.* "It's seriously good shit! Burns good too." *His vision slightly blurred but he brought himself back to reality once more.*

||
Christina
Kip grinned as he threw back another shot and poured another. **"Life's a game, my friend,"** He shrugged. His own scales were darkening and he was slurring his words a bit. He looked between Ves and Björn and quirked an eyebrow. **"What's your story anyway? How'd the two of you meet? What led to all the screaming?"**

"Well first came the bath," Ves blurted out without thinking. She turned scarlet as Kip barked out a laugh, clearly taken aback by her abruptness. Ves, meanwhile, took the opportunity to reach across the table and take Björn's free hand in her own. She used his giant fingers to cover her face, which was hot to the touch. She felt hot all over.

"Björn..." She whispered, looking up at him from between his fingers. Unable to take the distance anymore, she shakily began to climb across the table to him. Kip blinked in surprise and moved the almost-empty bottle safely out of the way. He tried hard not to stare as Ves crawled by, but it was difficult to ignore the slender female Kobold. He only hoped Majora was too drunk or too preoccupied to notice. 

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John
*Björn shook his head.* "Life is a trial. A battle. One I win by staying in it as long as possible." *He knocked it back as his purple blush slowly creeper in.* "What Ves meant to say is we met across the border. She got injured and I helped her heal after she got me out of a bad situation. We fell for each other on the travel here and I confessed to her earlier... Isn't that right Ve-"

*He turned purple as she mentioned the bath. Why did she mention the bath?! Great now he's laughing at them... Oh well. Ves was his anyway, so why bother.* "Yes, we had a bath. Bath went to the bed." *He shrugged as she grabbed his hand and pressed it to her face. It was hot... She was hot. So damn hot.*

"Yes Ves? What is it-oh oh!" *He looked suprised and laughed before glaring at Kip.* "Your eyes leave mine for a second and I'm giving you a real Sailor's peg leg." *Inside he was laughing. The fuck was a peg leg?! He opened his arms and sat her down on his lap.* "It's okay small one, I'm here."

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Christina
Kip raised his hands and lifted his eyes to the ceiling. **"I see nothing! Nothing at all!"** And the Kobold cackled in amusement.

Ves settled herself into Björn's lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. She buried her face into his shoulder, giggling. "Bath led to the bed," She repeated. "The bed was even better than the bath. I like what happened in the bed. I like it a lot." Who was she talking to? Her voice was muffled in Björn's clothing, but Kip could surely still hear her rambling.

Kip finished pouring out the last two drinks of the bottle and lifted his glass to Björn. **"To comfortable beds and beautiful women,"** He said before throwing his back. **"Last drink of the night, I'm afraid. Guess I'll be seeing you in the morning."** The Kobold stood on shaky legs and grabbed his coat off the back of his chair. With lute in hand, he bowed low and made his exit, nearly running into a table as he did so.

Ves didn't lift her face. Instead she bared her teeth and took a nibble out of Björn's shoulder. Her tail was snaking its way down his leg, wrapping around his thigh. She mumbled something incoherent and nuzzled against his neck. Had she forgotten where they were?

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John
*He gave a small wave as he left before finishing his last slowly... He stroked her head and stood up, the floor seemed closer than before... He hated having to crouch. He stood up and bumped his head on the ceiling. Shit. His height.*

*He gave a look of quiet apology for Ves' outburst to the Master of the House and proceeded to carry her upstairs. Once he got to the room, he immediately locked it and put her on the bed.* "Alright Ves, just... Just relax. *Hic*." *Björn grabbed a few extra blankets from the wardrobe and came back over.* "Let's get you ready fur... Fur on my shoulder. No! Really ready for bed. You're sleepy." *He lost his footing a bit before gaining his balance and walking over.*

*He started to undress her before lifting her up and placing her under the covers. He licked his fingers and snuffed the candles with them before undressing himself, he fell once however and jabbed his funny bone... Björn did not find it funny at all. Eventually he crawled into bed next to Ves and put his arms around her.* "My sl... Leepy baby." *He laughed to himself and kissed her head, starting to drift off.* "I love you..."

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Christina
Maxwell rolled his eyes as Björn carried Ves upstairs. He might have had more to say, but it was a busy night and he was working hard at the bar. So the Shapeshifter simply shook his head and went back to business.

"I'm not tired," She argued as he set her down and began to undress her. Still, he let him maneuver her beneath the blankets with only the smallest of protests. And those quickly faded when he joined her beneath the covers. She giggled and curled her body close to his, setting her head on his chest. She liked to feel the rise and fall of each breath.

"I want to stay awake," She sighed. "I want to enjoy the bed again." But he was already falling asleep next to her. And *What* Did he just say?! Ves felt her heart skip a beat. Had she heard him correctly? Or were her ears playing tricks on her? Was she just sleep-deprived and drunk? She wanted to ask, but she was afraid to.

Ves stayed awake wrapped in Björn's arms for what felt like forever before eventually sleep did take her. She felt safe and warm in his embrace and would have slept well except for her troubled mind. 

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