Nighttime Drinks

“Ah, yes. I was a member for some time… you may remember me in fact, Miss Astra. Mendacium is the name I still recognize, but I view myself as someone different these days. I must say it is an absolute pleasure to meet you once more, for the first time of this new life.”

Mendacium pauses, glancing around at the various other patrons and people about.

”It seems like you find yourself in good company. I am glad.”

Selena relaxes as Peyote walks away, and smiles to Miquella, motioning towards a chair, setting the rose down on the table. "Yes. Please."

She looks to Blodwulf. "If you need to talk in private, we can talk later. Okay?"

She raises her glass and takes a long sniff before an equally long sip, downing the glass and refilling it once more.

*Taking the permission he was granted* This might be the drink talking or maybe it's just something that needs to be said, commander. I humbly apologize to you, as my commander for turning my back on the crown. Nothing I can say or do will change that and I realize that, but I need to have that structure back in my life. Being a mercenary and working for scraps isn't the life I want anymore, Hell, I've been hunting for someone that doesn't exist when in reality it's the man staring back at me in the mirror. Should I execute the actual traitor? I'm at a crossroads, commander. What I did was unforgivable. And by all rights, you should've executed me as soon as you saw it. I'm just an expendable soldier. That's what all soldiers are. We're sword fodder. I just need purpose to my life again. *He says as he takes another long pull from the whisky bottle.* "if it came off as rude, I apologize, my commander. Sincerly."

Miquella nods and sits down. He looks up at the elf that is standing next to Selena and back at her. He tilts his head slightly and inhales deeply smiling as he spots the rose and the small hint of brush on Selena’s cheeks.

“Why is it I feel like I am intruding on something?”

He smiles at himself as he leans on the table.

Then as Blodwulf talks he hangs on his words. Staying quiet.

No, Miquella. I believe I owe you apology as well.

Listening to him, Astra’s eyes light up at the mention of his name. With a loud, audible gasp, Astra stands up with her hands on the table, shaking it and the glasses on the table a little. Her tarot cards topple over, showing the upright Justice card.

” Mendacium? As in Master Mendacium? The very same kind man who taught me alchemy and potions when my brother disappeared?!”

Astra looks up, noting the tavern is looking at her. She blushes in embarrassment as she dusts herself off and clears her throat.

”Please, have a seat. We’re starting a game soon. Saige is counting her rocks.”

She looks around for a minute. Then leans to him, ”Forgive my outburst Master Mendacium, you helped me during my magical illness long ago and I never forgot. You say ‘new life’…I heard rumors you had died, according to The Coven. Speaking of, I have something of yours to return to you.”

Astra digs in her bag for a moment, sifting through bottles, papers, and other various objects until she settles on a small amethyst geode. She places it on the table.

”I noted you had dropped it one time while in the house. I called out to you, but you seemed lost in conversation to have heard me. I wanted to return it to you, but by the time I could…you were gone.