[Past] Ninety-Nine Bottles of....One Bottle of Bad Whiskey

This bar was to small or maybe it was Antiva city with it's cramped streets and homes being far to narrow that made him think so. At least it meant he was left alone imposing as he was. Scarred and ruined he would have said had anyone said as such. Healing did not regrow horns nor erase what was. At least he still had his tongue. A small mercy in submitting as he had. How he was still submitting to a larger fist. In this case a dagger poised to be slipped in between his ribs, but this was nothing new. Once he had held the dagger.

Oh well, dingy and suspiciously stained as it was no one bothered him, and that's what he wanted. This little corner was his kingdom until he was pulled away.  His to smoke and wile the hours away in. Although he left the drink alone. It was horrifically bad, but was the fast way to get drunk, and the locals knew it. The hope this afternoon was to walk away without having to patch up the remnants of a bar brawl.

Riftan had asked him to not do one thing, play cards with the locals. Boring. Dull. Cantankerous dwarf who wished to keep this trip one of their worst in some time. He hated Antiva. Surprising his closest hammer wielding friend. It was warm. They were having a better time of it here than in most places. There were plenty of specimens that the elf could chase, but Ruth grumbled the entire time. He was no fan of cities, but continuously having to be sure there wasn’t a Crow in his bed was exhausting. He preferred living, as dull as an existence was, patching up Riftan and their ragtag mercenary band.

He’d been trying to drum up a game, a few bodies already gathered, but the person in the corner could be their final body for helping fill the elf’s coin purse. Approaching, the healer laid a tankard down on the table. “I’m hesitant in asking, because you seem so.. Lost in thought, but.. We’re about to play some cards and a body short.” Flashing him a grin, he’d add, “You don’t even have to talk, since.. Your face is enough of a poker look to soil the other boys' breeches.”

For a moment he held is breath watching the elf cross the bar to invade his little kingdom. Bold. Eyeing him as he listened  and contemplative in that. He was in the mood for a game but whoever this little elf was as a interesting gambit or could be. Slowly he exhaled through his nose, smoking pouring like some ill tempered dragon as he grinned. But not you? Walking with a swagger and complete disregard. Stupidity or confidence? Which is it little elf?

A brow arched along with his shoulders, shrugging. “Pfft, Neither. I’ve seen my share on the road. Your face is... interesting, but lacks anything overly threatening.” Ruth’s hand played with the tankard, thumb and pinky, drumming back and forth across the rim. His grin slipped to a slight smirk though. “And, I’m not all little.” Brows wiggled just so, before he scooped back up the tankard. “But then you’re not interested in a game, so, I’ll leave you to your wee lonely corner.” Raising his hand to his forehead, the elf would toss a mock salute, feet treading backwards to leave him.

He gave a click of the tongue at lacking at being overly threatening. Impassive at the rest of his bragging. Drawing in lung falls of smoke as he saluted, watching. Slightly impressed at the figure walking away,but his interest lay in the card game. Mainly in the man that was cheating. He did not play cards. The chance for things to get dicey was to much in his opinion. Usually. He was not one to harbor cheats and while this wasn't his bar neither did anyone stop him from imposing himself.

The barkeep clocking him as he rose and tapped out his pipe on the little tray provided, taking his chair with him. His movement fluid, graceful as he settled wordlessly next to him. Taking the time to repack and light his pipe. It was the only on him that spelled he might have money at his disposal. The rest of him dressing and appearing plain in make. The intricately carved pipe in the shape of a drake said otherwise. Boots propped up on the table as he leaned back eyeing the man intently. Boys. Exhaling smoke in little puffs. Letting out low chuckle, running his tongue over his teeth as he smiled, more akin to a baring of teeth than a smile. This one is cheating. pointing at him with his pipe.

Ruth had barely sat down when the sound of a floorboard shifted heavily. Azure eyes glanced over, noting the Kossith crossing the room to join them. The elf chuckled as he planted himself in a chair, greeting the others, noting their reactions with smug amusement. Predictably, the two on either side shifted their chairs slightly, giving the man a bit more space as their faces paled. Though it seemed the dwarf across had caught his eye, the brandished pipe and proclamation that Smithie was cheating had Ruth’s grin widening enough for teeth to flash.

“Smithie is a simpleton and actually can’t play,” he’d explain. “He might as well give away his coin. He’s that terrible.” Rolling his head to gauge the dwarf, Ruth’s leg thrust out to kick the half-cut tinkerer’s chair. He’d been staring at the Koss ever since he’d sat down, face paled enough Ruth may have believed his soul had departed. The elf snorted, honestly these city folks needed to get out in the wilds a bit more. “Either shuffle and deal the cards, idiot, or bring the next round over.”

An audible gulp fell in the proceeding silence, cards thrust into Ruth’s hands before Smithie scuttled out of his seat. The elf shook his head, blonde locks lightly swaying behind him, "Feel better now you've spooked someone, Kossy?" 

What was it you said? Gold eyes watched the dwarf named Smithie leave in haste. I have a face not overtly threatening. His baring of teeth soften as he looked towards the elf. It's a good way to invite danger little elf. Besides the way your companions react tells me that I am threatening. Just a little.  Amused at their pallor as if he would get up in arms over a card game.  Well, at least, he didn't think removing the problem at the table was getting up in arms.  I feel nothing at all. He was going to ruin a perfectly good game. So I called attention.  While I might not play I do enjoy the stakes. Win little elf and I'll buy you a drink and tell you my name.

Unphased by the dwarf’s departure, Ruth focused on shuffling the cards. “I did say they’d maybe shit their breeches, yes. Not mine though,” no, the elf was sure he hadn’t ever shit his pants in fear. An eye narrowed briefly, unfocused on anything particular, but the thought was quickly dismissed for dealing everyones hand. “City folk don’t know true fear,” his grin flashed, “I might lack height, and don’t let my youthful appearance fool you. I’ve seen a few monsters in my time.” And usually people were worse.

Cards dealt, Ruth leaned back into his chair, appraising his hand with a neutral expression. Only when the challenge rolled off his tongue did his blue hues snapped to find the Koss. “Winning is easy,” smirking. “I prefer seeing how folks play their hand, more entertaining, so, play a good hand or two and I might buy you more than a drink.” When were names important to having a good time?

A groan would come from Kershaws side, another elf planting his face into his hands. [color=#c14700]“... I’m going to need more fucking ale for this.”[/color]

Wordlessly he slid over enough gold for another round to the elf beside him. Nit taking his eyes off the elf infront of hi. Softly clicking his tongue. I don't play cards. I find those risks and rewards boring, but I enjoy the ebb flow of the game. There is a difference little elf. His grin taking on a mischievous cant. I am very curious as to what you would buy me however. You have me for a single hand unless you can keep my interest. Deal me in.

[font=Arial, serif]Ruth chuckled, genuine amusement bubbled across his features and he found himself a little more intrigued. “You articulated what I meant better than I did. That makes you one of the smarter ones at this table.”  The healer smirked, finding the elf who’d groaned and who had nodded thanks to the Kossith. “Ruvyn is just pissed because he lost a bet.” And a sore loser he was, especially when against a lubricated Ruth. Then again, knowing the scout as he did, Ruvyn would pay the healer back in kind, eventually. [/font]

[font=Arial, serif]Eyes slowly drew away from his colleague, settling back to deal him in. Rum fueling his system and that ever ready tongue willing to snap out a witty or scathing remark on his waiting audience, Ruth’s stage was set, but he refrained. “Oh, I could think of a few things off the top of my head, but why would I tell you?” Yes. He would be a shit. “Especially for only one hand?” Lips pursed together, tutting as his brows shrugged, “Shame. I’d have enjoyed hearing a story or two. You’ve an interesting… face.” The pile dealt. Ruth slid over Kershaw’s cards, fingertips lingering while he flashed him a wink before retreating back to his own cradled hand. [/font]

I've an interesting...face. He echoed leaning in slightly to study him. it was rare form to see him truly smile. The gesture lighting up his face as mischief sparked. No longer a baring of teeth or a softening of such but finally something genuine. The elf before him had succeeded in seeing the first cracks in his veneer and he he were to put a span of time on things, the fastest. His laughter was a deep thing. Shaking his head when he was able to compose himself and take a long drag of a pipe. Saying nothing until they were well into the second round. He seemed to be mulling over a great many things, but the ghost of a please smile remained. You're going to be disappointed little elf. My stories aren't for the open air and lively tables. So you won't hear them here.

[font=Arial, serif][font=Arial, serif]There was a slight smugness that slipped into the elf’s smile as the laughter rumbled out across from him. Azure eyes glinted, observing how the Koss seemed to be mulling over how to respond to Ruth’s teasing. “Disappointed?” Brows rose, again giving him a once over. “Really? With that intimidating physique and stoic grumblings,” the elf scoffed, eyes briefly glancing over his cards before tossing in a silver to the pile. “How do you know that isn’t exactly what I want?” [/font][/font]

[font=Arial, serif][font=Arial, serif]Another small noise came from Ruvyn, though he appraised Arainai out of the corner of his eye. [color=#c14700][font=Arial, serif][font=Arial, serif]“You know, you are just encouraging him.” [/font][/font][/color]Shaking his head and tossing in his bet. [/font][/font]

[font=Arial, serif][font=Arial, serif]Ruth let out a quiet chuckle. “Ruvyn’s right, I’ve seen a lot of grizzly things. I put people's insides back into them, grizzly about covers it.” Ruth’s brows shrugged. “Afraid my stomach’s not strong enough Kossy?”
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I'm sure your stomach is plenty strong little elf. I don't want to ruin a good card game with tales of blood and viscera. It's not my favored form of discussion. What do you want to hear? My favorite flower used to kill? Eyeing him. He was torn between calling the game early or staying where he was. He had started this. Spoken before he thought. Sighing he threw another copper in the pot and leaned  back in his seat.

[font=Arial, serif]“Why? Do you dump a ton of them to murder your victims?” He quipped back, head tilting at the thought and image of such a thing. He chuckled, catching his tongue between his teeth in glee. “The Stoner, she would cry at such abuse of the fauna and flora.” Some would think it was the clink of the pot that recalled his attention, yet his eyes had flickered over at the sigh. [/font]

[font=Arial, serif]“So… grumpy, Kossy. Are your cards that awful? Or is my patter not quite what you expected?” A shoulder bounced. “I’ll admit, my tongue does a far better job behind closed doors.” Or a dark corner, an alley, a bed was preferable or any surface really. Better leverage for… things.
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Something like that. He grumbled.  Biting the inside of his cheek going back to his cards only for his attention to be pulled back from the card game once again. He faced him, fully turning in his chair, expressionless as he placed his cards face down.

The little elf was right when he  said that this was not the patter he was use to.  Not in the least, but he wasn't put off by it. As close as he as he didn't so much as lean that reach out. A quick motion that ended in the gentle gesture of fingertips just under the jaw. Grumpy am I?

Leaning in then. the scent of pipe weed strong on him. Do you think that would be less grumpy with your personal brand of fun little elf? what if I like being grumpy? Hm? What if I said that you can prattle and dance about all you like, but until you can manage to spark and keep my interest all is off the table? Do you like the unattainable? Or did you simply think that saying such would shock and awe? Because I am unimpressed.

Lightly tapping at his cheek he turned back to the card game and added a gold to the pot.