Better Things

[musicachick]

Salamander stood on the old city walls, looking out over the wilderness that strectched away from the city. Usually, at this time of night, he could be found at the tavern, pounding back a few and getting thoroughly hammered. However, he found himself a little short of money at the moment, and the barkeep knew better than to let Sal start a tab. Salamander smirked. The last time he'd been allowed a tab, he'd drunk so much it had taken nearly a whole week's wages to bail himself out again.

In the meanwhile, the quiet of the evening calmed him enough to keep him from thinking about his family too much. The cheap wine he'd managed to buy from the market helped to. It tasted like piss, but it was doing its job. Still, he wasn't so far gone yet that he didn't hear the footsteps behind him. He whirled around, spilling some of his wine. Dammit. "Oh god! Look what you made me do," he lamented. His words were the slightest bit slurred, and the other person wasn't quite in focus. He'd drunk more than he'd thought.

[Horu]

The one of the newest arrivals to the city wasn't exactly try to keep a low profile infact he was trying to find his way back to the tavern he had seen earlier in the day. However he was having trouble as the city look far different at night.

He could defend himself but he didn't feel like guarding what little money he had left agains theivs that might be wandering the back roads. It was meant for a few days at the tavern and food. Though instead of food he may invest in a hand crossbow or maybe a few traps so he could go to the surrounding forest and fend for himself. 'One step at a time' He thought to himself as he walked down the main streets.

He made his way to the city wall, hoping may to follow it till he found the tavern. That's when he noticed a man with a bottle filled with what smelled like near spoiled wine. It must have been a bad batch and the drunk hadn't had enough to get anything better. That's when an idea struck him. Who better to ask for directions to a pub than a fan of the drink. So he walked up to the man ho spun around spilling his drink on the floor. It seemed he had made a rough impression right from the beginning.

"Sorry about that good sir. I'll buy you a replacement if you would be so kind as to show this lost stranger to the tavern?" He asked hopefully.

[musicachick]

Salamander's vision cleared enough so that he could see the face of the newcomer. He paused a minute while he worked out what the man said. Once he'd gotten a handle on it, he smiled widely. Now here was a real pal. "Well then, what're we standin' 'round here for?" He beckoned the man to folow him, and rushed back toward the tavern. The bottle of cheap wine dropped from his hands, and leaked its despicable contents into the ground.

Salamander had drunk a good half of the bottle by this time, however, and his steps were erratic and weaving. When they got close, Sal breathed a sigh of contentment. He could smell the ale from here. Then, he passed out cold on the street, a drunken smile plastered on his face.

[Horu]

Well it seemed he had gotten somewhere after all. So he started by following the man. down the street a ways but then the man started swaying and It was becoming apparent that his drink was getting the better of him. Horu doubted the man still had his sense of direction in tact. The man then collapsed and Horu strode forward to make suret the man was alright.

Indeed the drink had gotten the best of the man. and the wine must have been worse than It had appeared. The man quickly pulled a medallion that was hanging around his neck, and hidden beneath his armor and clothing. He held it above the mans head and offered a small prayer for strength. The divine power rushed through the body of the other man reinforcing the man's natural fortitude against the alcohol poisoning.

He put the medallion away and gently shook the man's shoulder. "Don't be sleeping on me now."

[musicachick]

Salamander felt the alcohol drain from him somewhat. He awoke more sober than he had been in years. His eyes focused on a man, standing above him. "Hmm? Oh." Salamander stood, still a little tipsy. "Sorry. I've been known to do that." He was embarrased, but the long shadows cast from the city's buildings by the setting sun hid the fact that his face was now as red as his hair. Mostly.

Salamander turned away. "This way, come on." In fact, his sense of direction hadn't been comprimised by the booze, but heightened. In his inebriated state he was more aware of the direction of the tavern than at any other time. It was like he was attuned to the place, wishing to keep up his blood-alcohol level.