Several years ago...
A man in his early thirties wearing a red and black suit with a crimson velvet coat appeared out of a puff of thick red smoke behind the bar, with his back to everyone and carrying a burlap bag over one shoulder, a cane with a neatly carved whale handle top in the other. ''Goooooood evvvvvvvvvening patrons! Can I get anyone anything?'' He asked taking a few clinking coins from the tavern's payment jar and dumping them in the bag, tossing the cane away in a comical way and completely forgetting about it.
Rec's eyes shifted up towards the man she had seen plenty of times before and she was shocked to see him dressed for once. And like a fancy aristocrat or something. "Evening... A grapefruit beer will do, thanks."
''Gimme a second...'' He mumbled filling up the bag with a variety of coins. Once he was done he set the bag down on the bar and poured the woman a glass of grapefruit beer straight from the tap, then he slid it to her. ''Fourrrrrr universal silver if ya please.'' He said as he crossed his arms and awaited the payment. After a few seconds he grabbed a silver cocktail mixer from off the shelf and set it on the bar, then disappeared in a cloud of thick red smoke that quickly disappointed.
As she passed through the human town, most just stared at the rather large structure of the passerby covered in armor. Most assumed it was a man based only on height and she never removed her hood to let them see otherwise. In her experience the humans of Vorland did not tend to like out of the ordinary individuals, but they were even more puzzled when nothing seemed out of place except the woman's height. Temperance continued her long stride hurriedly through the streets and towards the forest where she hoped she could find the tavern and get herself a drink. Her horse was trotting alongside her, the reins in her hand as they maneuvered through the forest. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she spotted the tavern. She unharnessed her weapons and left them with her horse, Titan. The armored giant gave the beast one long stroke against it's soft neck before pushing open the tavern doors and stepping in. The smell of liquor in the air made her chest already so warm. She still remained completely covered, she preferred to get a feel for the environment before showing her face. And her face currently wore no emotion, even as she requested a good bourbon and sat down at the bar, struggling to adjust and sitting a bit awkwardly once settled.
Rec rummaged through her belongings and slid over the payment to the man before grabbing at the cup and bringing it to her lips. "Thank you"
''Welcome to the Dragon's Head Tavern and Inn!'' Venser called from the kitchen. He always seemed to know when someone new entered. He reappeared behind the bar holding a bottle of rosewater in one hand and a bottle of grapefruit juice in his other. ''Oh you're a tall one. Ordinary bourbon? Coming right up.'' He said to the hooded woman in the banded metal armor glancing right in her face for a second. Her hood reminded him of the one he once wore. Heh. ''Three silver.'' He said to the woman passing her a glass of bourbon, he then snatched up the payment from Rec and tossed it into the tavern's payment jar.
The half giantess preferred her bourbon 'ordinary' she never had much of a test for anything mixed. She was strong like that. Temperance only nodded when he confirms her order and reaches into her pouch to pull out five silver and set it on the bartop and pushed it his way in exchange for her booze. She says nothing until it is in her hands, "Thank you." Those were the only words she said and her face remained expressionless. A light amount of sweat covering her apparently fit body, the parts of flesh actually visible.
Leaning her elbow onto the other side of the bar bar, Rec traced the rim of her glass with her index finger, a soft hum erupting from the touch. Biting her lip, she would turn her attention towards the window and the few stars that could be seen from where she sat.
The sharp dressed bartender passed two silver back to the hooded woman. ''And there's your change.'' He looked over to the payment jar, then slipped one of the gold coins into his coat pocket. ''Two for Roselie... One for me...'' He tossed them lazily into the payment jar and still made it in.
"Yes!" He mumbled to himself making a fist pump movement.
Temperance had just noted the two coins still in front of her. She had been told it was not wise to leave out a tip, otherwise things could be tampered with. "Excuse me," her words were smooth as they left her expressionless face. "I did not mistake my payment. I always leave a tip." She stated it in the most simpilist of terms before pushing the coins back and then returning to her brown colored liquid.
He cocked his head at the hooded woman, then glanced down at the coins. ''Very well then. I have kids to feed anyways.'' He replied holding up his left hand, his mark glowed bright greenish white and the clinkey coins were trapped in a green aura. He then pulled the coins towards him and caught them. ''Need anything else?'' He asked as the shadow tendrils set down a cup of black tea in front of a timid woman patron.
"One more thing, if you don't mind." -again, nervous- "a large piece of meat, raw and very bloody" -she gave the biggest smile she could muster-
''Very very rare. Bloody.'' Several seconds later the shadow tendrils manifested themselves in the form of a snakey, shadowy hand and dropped a plate of very rare meat in front of her. ''Three silver, two for the tea one for the meat.'' The man blinked a few times then leaned in. ''Hey, don't be nervous. You're in good company here. I'm handsome. See?''
Rec picked up the glass and downed its entire contents in two large gulps before placing it back on the bartop, pushing it forward towards the barkeep. She rummaged through her coin purse once more and slid over another twelve silver for the drinks and six as tip before turning her gaze to Ven. "Keep them coming dear, for it's going to be a long evening."
The half giantess enjoyed the mindless chatter around in the tavern that didn't matter much, her face would not show it but she did very much enjoy it. She turned her head to now studied the others that were in the tavern as she had always been an observant individual. She felt no threat which eased her mind and relaxed her shoulders. Even when sitting she seemed tall when she stood she was seven feet tall exactly She tried to hide her awkwardness but it could not be consumed behind the hood. Temperance could feel the nerves of the woman beside her and she wasn't certain what she was even nervous for. She shrugged to herself and finished her amber liquid pushing the empty tankard away from her. "Another please, when you have a moment."
''Easy pay tonight...'' He muttered grabbing the coins, stuffing half into his pocket and the other half into the payment jar. Then the six gold into his pocket, and the other six into the payment jar. ''I agree stranger. It's a quiet night, and a slow one as well. I could be in Riddleport right now watching a show or getting fucked.'' He passed another glass of grapefruit beer to an old familiar patron of his. ''Here. That'll make things easier.'' Venser turned his attention back to the neglected bottles he was going to use. He filled the silver cocktail mixer half full of Grand Marnier, and the other half full of grapefrui juice. He added to dashes of rosewater and then began to shake up the contents while watching the timid woman eat.
Rec snatched up the glass among her empty ones on her insistence and hogged them like a fat kid would hog a cookie jar. Her mouth widen in a large grin as she thanked Ven before guzzling the sweet liquid.
Temperance was getting overheated in her wears. She used both of her hands to remove her brown cloaked hood and finally relax enough to fully show her face. "If I could get another drink when you have a moment, it would be most appreciated." She asked for a refill on her drink. Her face wore strange markings, and her hair was a deep brown short pixie cut. Her eyes were wide and noticeably different colors as well, one green and one blue. Confident and mature, her body spectacularly muscular and athletic while not sacrificing a single drop of femininity, despite being mostly covered in armor.
''Coming right up.'' Venser said pouring the dark orange purple drink into a martini glass, he set it aside for himself then refilled the hooded woman's glass of bourbon. ''Got a name, miss?'' He asked looking her over. She had such a pretty face. Despite the scars and overall roughness of the tall, armored woman.
"Temperance Dathuer, though I do not have much." The name was given to her by her father and she often was referred to as Tempey or Temperance. She offered a small smile and then placed her dues on the bartop for the bourbon and took a long and slow sip of her strong liquor. "And your name?"
''Temperance, lovely name.'' He replied leaning up against the bar, holding his martini glass full of dark orange purple liquid. He sipped it and said, ''Venser. Karrrrkaldwin. Sometimes Venny, Ven, My Little Vensie, VenVen. Whichever you may prefer. That's mah name don't dragggggg it out."
The half giantess only smiled softly, again taking another swig, haind reaching up to push back her shaggy, unbrushed hair. "It's a pleasure to meet you Venser." She stated, "You can call me Tempey, most do. Especially in taverns when speech gets lazy and my name seems long." She smirks.
''Alright then. Tempey. What brings you to our cozy little tavern tonight?'' He asked with a half bored half tired look on his face. Then again, this look was stuck on his face for some time lately. After a few seconds a small smile began to appear on his handsame visage.
Rec placed her cup upon the table and sheepishly smiled up at one if her friends, her dull green eyes twinkling in the light of the tavern. It was apparent the grapefruit beer was making its way to her head and she leaned lazily onto the table with a sigh. More background chatter.
"For the same reason anyone walks into a tavern," Temperance began, "my particular poison is bourbon. So I suppose I am here for bourbon." She lets a small smile sketch it's way upon her lips. "I ended up here after not having much luck in town just a ways down the road. They don't take kindly to women of my height it seems. I know I'm intimidating."
''What exactly are you, Tempey?'' Venser asked leaning forword a bit. He appeared to be any ordinary human, early thirties, grass green eyes, coal black hair that was brushed off onto the side, and fair skin. If one looked close enough, there were faint lines running from his lips to his ears in the form of a smile and he was clean shaven. As if he had scars that were being covered up. On the back of his left hand he had the black mark of some cultist symbol, and on the back of his right hand he had a brand burnt into his skin of the letters, ''RG'' with several scars running through it. Indicating he tried to erase the brand.
The half giantess smirked, speaking up a bit more, "An abomination if you ask most." She laughs lightly. "I am only certain of the giantism, as that was what my father was." She only remembers her father fondly, "My mother I know nothing of. Most assume human, and others have many many stories of her." She explained. It was unlikely her mother was human, she had too many non-physical features that didn't seem human or giant. "And you? You are human, yes?"
''I am indeed very human. Mother was a human, father was a human. I think, yeahhh.'' Venser replied examining Tempey's unique features. The unnatural features of him he usually hid via makeup and trickery. The mark and his brand, he did not typically hide, as the alien mark was the source of all his magic. "Maybe I am. Maybe not. Maybe more."
''By the void, where I come from giants, dragons, those things are merely myth. And magic, looked down upon. Few use it. And those who do are always persecuted.''
"Well a very extraordinary human than." Tempey stated and again turned to her amber liquid swirling it around before lifting it to her lips and she smiled as she pulled the glass away from her lips. "So I am only a myth then."
''If you were in the Isles people would just assume you have giantism, some genetic disorder. But the marks on your face... They'd be skeptical of those.'' He replied. ''They'd mistake you for some sort of witch. If you were in Pantia though, they wouldn't care.''
"Well you come from some intriguing places, I might have to visit these Isles some time, " The half giant laughs lightly but only jokes. She knew what she was, and witnessed what her father was for the longest time. "Most places tend to just stare at the large humanoid woman in clanking armor."
''They always do. They also stare at men who have a large smile carved into their face and eyes that looked like they plucked from the skull of a snake.'' He chuckled and took a sip of his cider he had set aside for himself
Temperance nodded, "Anything that is slightly out of the ordinary." She finished what was left of her straight bourbon and grabbed payment for another, "Another, when you have a moment." She pushed her glass away.
''On the double.'' He grabbed a metal tankard from off the shelf then dunked it into a barrel full of the glowing blue liquid, then teleported over to a man he knew as James and set a Blue Lagoon down on the bar. He then poofed in a cloud of thick red smoke and reappeared in his original spot. A dim low watt bulb went off inside Venser's head. ''Ah ha!'' He exclaimed snapping his fingers, he trapped a bottle in a green aura and pulled it towards him, then set it on the bar in front of Tempey. ''Where do you come from, Tempey?''
She pulls her bourbon into her hands and lifts it to her lips to take a slow sip, enjoying every bit of flavor the liquid had. Her ears slightly twitched at the question. "Well that is not a question that I can answer," she begins, "My father and I never stayed in one place too long and most of them I do not remember." She stated and bit her lower lip slightly as she often did in thought. "You see my father was a giant, and giants love money and royals like to pay giants to be a part of their army. So wherever there was coin is wherever we went. He never swore loyalty to anyone."
''Just another traveler huh?'' Venser said. ''A soldier's daughter, so no wonder you moved around so much. Well, mercenary... I know what the merc life is like.''
"Not just a daughter of a soldier, a soldier myself." She states. "Now I was no where near the size of my father, but where he lacked in strategy I made up for. I've followed maps, planned attacks, and even fought when kingdoms and countries will allow women to do so." She explained. "Nonetheless yes very much of a traveller. Now that it is just me and I do not have my father's hunger for money I am a wanderer."
''Brilliant, not just one to charge in without a plan.'' Venser drank down the rest of his cider and set down the martini glass. He set it next to all the other dirty glasses then grabbed a clean one, and a bottle full of sparkling green liquid. ''Just a wanderer with no particular goal in mind?''
The half giantess smiles, "Well it was all for my father because he would just march in at the front lines where they kept him. My way for keeping him as long as I could." She laughs lightly, "Yes I suppose, I learn much from wandering."
''Heh. I never knew my father here.'' Venser replied sloshing his drink around in his glass. ''Can I interest you in a glass of Elksback Cider, Tempey? You'll love it, I'm sure.''
"Well certainly you must have known someone important to you, at some point, where you would do whatever you could to protect them." She stated and then tilts her head slightly at his question. "I usually just drink whiskey, mostly bourbon, cider is mostly fruity. Are you certain I'll love it?" She smirks.
Venser couldn't help but let out a half insane cackle, similar to the way he used to laugh. It was very brief and he smiled widely, glancing down at the RG on the back of his right hand. ''Once. Heh heh... I have two babies, Soarin and Lucinda. And they mean the multiverse to me.'' He grabbed a second glass and poured Tempey some Elksback Cider, smirking as well. ''If you aren't a fan, you will be. On the house.''
Temperance noted the woman who plopped back into a bar seat and offered her a smile. "Why are you so certain that I will like this?" She smirks holding up the glass, questioning whether or not she even wanted to tast it.
''Are you not a fan of fruity drinks? If not I can offer you my favorite drink. Which I know you will most certainly like.'' Venser turned his head to Rec and said, ''Need a refill or anything, miss?''
"I despise fruit flavors in drinks," She smirked lightly. "I wouldn't want to be rude and turn down this cider but I assure you I cannot control my foul face if I do not like it." She explains to him.
''Foul face? Very well then.'' He took the glass back and set it off to the side, then grabbed a dark red bottle from beneath the bar, hidden next to Winter's secret stash of her personal Dragonfire whiskey. He held the bottle in front of Tempey and explained what it was. ''Kupid Red. Nicely aged brandy, rare Pantian spices... Interested?'' He showed off the bottle to the timid woman as well. ''Actually, I got something special from my person collection... No no.'' He put it back and disappeared, only to appear once again holding a different bottle.
''Marchant's Steller Bourbon. Never opened, and I usually just save it to show off.'''
Pop!
He popped the cork and refilled her empty tankard, the rich scent of nicely aged bourbon with hints of sweet vanilla, charred oak, and smooth tobacco filled the air before Temperance Datheur, causing her to give a rare, genuine smile and feel truly special.
The half giantess now had rum in front of her, she did so enjoy bourbon more than any drink. However she did not have the tolerance of a giant for liquor just the tolerance of a soldier who drank heavily. She only gave a chuckle, "Well thank you kindly, Venser, all these drink offers and I may not be able to stand if it continues." Taking a swig, here smile only widened.
''Enjoy that slowly, along with other drinks? Switch on and off?'' Ven suggested, trying to make it last the entire night.
''This is wonderful bourbon. Never had anything like it... Thank you.'' The half giantess smirked with the fine liquor to her lips and nods. "Sure that I will try." She smiled sweeter now. She was way more relaxed then when she first came in, though that was surely due to the drinks she had been drinking or given.
Venser poured Tempey a tall glass and slid it to her. ''This is pretty expensive stuff too. Worth every coin though! ''On the house. I'm in a generous mood.
"Well I certainly hope it is, if it is as expensive as you say." She smirked before lifting it to her lips and taking a long and slow swig. She let it sit in her mouth for a moment as she swished it around to really taste the flavor. She swallows and her belly warms. "This is quite exquisite."
''Indeed. After a day of work, fucking about, I often enjoy sitting in my smoking room just reading, drinking a bottle of Elksback, and smoking a Kullero cigar.'' He turned back to a patron who called for red wine and smiled. ''Right, and yes, my name is Venser.'' He looked over to the stairs and called out, ''Welcome to the Dragon's Head Tavern and Inn!'' Once the man had reached the bar he nodded and poured the man a glass of red wine, then set it down in front of him. ''That'll be three silver... Alright, thankie doodles.''
''It does not sound like a bad end to a days work." Tempey said. She then turns to the woman next to her and tilts her head slightly, "So is Rec short for something?"
Venser pocketed half the coins and the other half went into the tavern's payment jar. ''Thank you kindly. Excuse me for a second.'' He grabbed his bag of coins from off the bar, which included his weekly pay and everything he had tonight then disappeared in a puff of thick red smoke.
The regular patron politely to the woman "Yes Rec is short for Alirec, however I found it too formal and preferred to go by Rec instead, giving my tom-boyish behavior." At this she gulped again from her glass, coming to its end once more.
"Ah yes Rec, you are much like myself I see." She noted her wears and the short sword at her side. Temperance always carried at least some form of weaponry just the heavier stuff she left outside.
Back in his room inside the tavern, he made his way past the mannequin which held his old red rubber suit with rubber nipples and a comically oversized codpiece, past his bed, past the twin's cribs, and set his loot of coin down on his desk. Intending to sort them out later. He took note of the many dresses that littered the floor near his wardrobe, they were beginning to collect a thin coat dust. Venser really needed to put away the dresses. He then teleported out of his room and back behind the bar. ''And done! Back just like that!'' The handsome barkeep looked down at his mark, the stranger symbol glowed greenish white and emitted steam. ''So helpful... I've heard that the teleportation spell is the hardest to learn on Laguna. But for me, it just comes naturally. Just like my charm!''
Temperance jumped slightly startled by his sudden appearance behind the bar again. She only smirked at how ridiculous she must have looked, and how most of the patrons just kept to their own little groups as if him poofing around was a regulate occurrence. She slowly sipped on the bourbon realizing that she had lost count of which drink she was on. This was not a new circumstance for her.
Rec chuckled before raising her glass to the woman and sipping gracefully.
''The glass is easily replicable. Not like it's Roselie's fine porcelain... Or the time I got drunk and decided to hammer nails right into the bar for no reason.'' He said with a small laugh recalling the memory. Oh, he was... Wild when drunk. He recalled the time he had he was serenading Ione, a billion year old shadow demon and mother to one of the barmaids at the tavern, naked with a guitar covering his crotch. Which ended with Ione smashing the guitar, splinters in Venser's crotch, shocked looks from the fellow patrons, and the shadow demoness storming off.
"Very true but you are the one who spoke of your tom-boyish behavior. That is all I am comparing." She also raises her glass and takes a long slow sip only to realize that her mug was once again empty. She sat there in debate on whether or not to order another drink, and noticing the unremarkable red wine patron try to flirt with the Rec, offering to buy her a glass of wine too.
''Trying to get laid?'' He asked noticing the red wine patrin offer to buy Rec a drink.
Tempey looked up from the bartop shocked that yet another person had ordered her a drink. She only smiled when Rec slid the bottle her way and she held up her mug, "Well thank you much," She was now a lot more smiles and giggles, although she did still try to contain them. However as soon as she had the sip in her mouth she spit it out in laughter at Venser's commentary to the woman's generosity to the gentleman.
''Want me to wet your whistle huh?'' Venser asked taking a random woman's cup. ''Not a sexual thing by the way. Unless you wish it. Right right... What'd you have again?''
''Hhppht!''
Bourbon. Everywhere.
"May I get a rag or something, it seems I've made a mess of my laughter." Tempey explained looking to Venser and then to the spewed brown liqoud on the bartop.
The handsome barkeep held his hand out behind him, trapping a rag in a green aura and pulling it over to him, and then set it on Tempey's head. Then poked her nose. ''Boop!''
Her mismatched eyes would cross as she tried to follow the finger that poked her nose and she scrunched her nose. "I just asked for a rag, no need for that." She stuck out her tongue before wiping the bartop in front of her.
''And a rag you got.'' Venser decided he wanted to get roaring drunk. He wasn't watching Soarin and Lucinda. So he felt he could do as he pleased. It had been rather complicated to learn to care for children, being quite new to it he preferred to get away for now and go to them when he was ready.
"I'll have another of your... Merchant Steller Bourbon?'' Tempey asked and then turns her attention to Rec, "I did not think that was something you'd give up so easily?" She smiled playfully.
Rec smiled sheepishly she brought the rum back to herself. "Normally it isn't. But I'm quite buzzed myself however seeing that no one is taking to my gesture I suppose I'll go back to my greedy and selfish ways and keep these for myself." At this she would snatch up the bottles and wander back to the table in the far right corner
''Marchant! Guy who made it. A merchant named Marchant? Ha!'' The handsome barkeep was quick to snag up several empty tankards and glasses, quickly filling them all up in a swift manner, with a helping hand from the shadow tendrils. ''Bam, bam, and bam kablamo!''
The half giantess smirked lightly, adjusting in her seat. "Well I never said to leave my side by any means," she called over to her with a playful pout that she had wandered away. She then looked to Venser's rapid refillment and clapped her hands lightly, "Impressive barkeep."
He smiled at Tempey. ''I'm the best barkeep here. Been working for about five years now. Started as a barback, now I run it most of the time.''
A small smirk played delicately on her lips, "Well it shows," she smiled at him before sipping the exquisite brandy. "So what made you decide to work here in the first place?"
''My dear friend Thorn, who is like a sister to me. A hot sister!'' Venser replied tethering a dirty glass over to him and a cloth, he then began to clean the glass while looking to Tempey. ''I've been coming here for sometime, drinking away, being social. Sometimes it was just Thorn running the bar all alone, and Roselie would work the poor girl to death. So I started off helping her, then as her substitute so she could relax more. Now it's full time..''
Tempey was starting to struggle on focus but she listened and she listened well. "Oh, right... Well what a good friend you were." She smiles softly before taking another sip of her drink. "Are you happy in this establishment then?"
''Oh yes, very.'' Venser smiled and leaned forward against the bar. ''This is my favorite place. Pretty much home to me. Seconded by The Hole In The Stall. Well. Lately it's been a tie between The Hole In The Stall and The Witch's Wiggle... But I'd say, ya know, the first one. Been going there for years and years and years.''
"I'm not sure I know of those places, or if I want to know." Tempey chuckled lightly and smiles at him, her mismatched eyes glittering with interest. "Well this place here though is a fine establishment." Her upper body swayed in her seat slightly using the bartop to catch herself, laughing.
''I'm sure you can guess what those places are.'' The handsome barkeep chuckled as well then disappeared in a puff of thick red smoke and reappeared next to Tempey. ''If you'd like I can rent you out a room, give you a place to rest after a long night of drinking.''
''You can sleep in my room.'' Ven blurted out without thinking. Maybe he did think for a second. Yeah, totally.
Temperance very well knew what those places were by the names of them, being rather on the nose. She jumped again as he disappears and reappeared it follows with a fit of laughter. "Oh my, there you go again startling me. I've never actually seen that before today, despite how well traveled I am." The half giantess couldn't help but laugh more with him, listening to his offer of a room and then his room. It had been such a long time since she had laughed, and even longer since someone had asked to be alone with her. "I suppose staying would be the responsible thing to do..." Her voice trailed off, "And both of those offers sound favorable." She gave a playful wink.
''I'm down the left hallway... Sixth door on the right.'' He said with an arrogant smirk and a low, seductive growl. Venser then drank down his cider and started another. ''Drinking on the job... Oh fuck my cock I meannn… Yeah! Too much temptation Tempey baby.''
"Well now." Temperance said in response to his seductive growl and she shook her head lightly as her scarred face deeply reddened. "Though I may be sleeping right here, I'm not sure my feet will carry me, and I'm not yet done." She laughed lightly and finishes another drink. She waves her empty glass in front of the Venser's face. "Ohhhhhhh bar wench," She teased requesting another.
''I'm not done either. And I'll gladly carry you if I have too.'' Venser laughed a few more times and took the empty glass from her, then grabbed the bottle of Marchant's Steller Bourbon and filled it to the rim. ''Let's just get completely smashed...'' He raised his own glass of brandy. ''So heres to it!''
The armored giantess smiled wickedly at his toast. "I cannot think of any better way to spend my eve then completely smashed with a dashing barkeep." Towering over him in her seat, she sipped her dark liquid still enjoying it's flavor.
''A wickedly handsome- Hic! Barkeep.'' Venser said raising his voice, starting to feel a little bit tipsy. ''Let's just get ourselves another bottle of the regular...'' He muttered grabbing one from behind the bar and setting it down. ''Whoop!'' It nearly fell over but it was caught just in time and kept in place. ''Ughhghghgh fuck my ass with a loaf of bread... AHEM! The shadow tendrils will serve while I... Ya know, with this fly honey.''
A few patrons rolled their eyes, and shook their heads and Venser's foolishness as the shadows manifested themselves into physical shades that resembled the man himself, watching over the patrons of The Dragon's Head and expecting them to order.
Temperance giggled at his obvious signs of being drunk but she only smiled to herself as she tried to keep her posture straight. However she was failing miserably as she swayed in her bar seat. "Oh how could I leave that part out? Foolish me." She smirks
''And what other better way would a wickedly handsome barkeep be spending the evening with a tipsy, beautiful brave strong traveler woman? Hic!'' Venser asked almost accidently knocking over the bottle again, he lifted up his right hand and began to trail his pointer finger down the side of Tempey's face. He always did have a thing for women taller than him, especially the strong ones. He did so admire strength. His eyes taking in her features, her heterochromatic eyes, broad, clear forehead, firm chin, and a kind smile despite the scarring on her face. Ritualistic, he assumed by how some of them were patterned.
''And you have scars, I have scars... So...''
"Well aren't you charming as well," The half giantess said with a smirk, taking another sip she rested a large hand on the bartop to keep from swaying. When he touched her she jumps lightly at first but then smiles as his finger trails down the side of her face.
''I get that often...'' Venser said scooting a bit closer to Tempey, brushing back some of her hair so he could fully see her face. ''Handsome, thoughtful and considerate. A little good, a little bad... Bit of both. Very desirable...'' He gave out another seductive growl and asked, ''Do- Hic! People often compliment you regarding your- Hic! Your- Hic! Shexiness...''
Tempey studied him with both of her eyes, one which was green and the other a soft pale blue. She only smirked at his drunken mannerisms. She laughed very much amused as he pulls back her hair and is talking about his desirable self . "I'm usually seen as freakish, in the areas that I have been. Though, not so much in open battle..."
''If only they could see what I see right now...'' Venser said lowering his voice a tad, he raised his left hand and grasped her head with both hands, stroking the other side of her face with his other pointer finger. His grass green eyes locked onto Tempey's mismatched eyes and he gazed into them longingly for several long seconds.
She was not use to all of this touching, it was an oddity to her but than again she didn't seem to mind it even as he stared at her for a moment. "You are much too sweet." She smirks and raises up her mug once more, "To getting smashed."
The handsome barkeep arrogantly smirked back and raised his half full glass. ''To getting smashed. And to this lovely day and lovely night.'' He clinked his glass against Tempey's then took a heavy swig.
When their glasses clinked, Tempey managed to spill the most of hers and she looked slightly distraught it had fallen out. "The sadness of the good liquid on the bartop, and parts of my outfit, and the floor." She looked to all of these places. "Perhaps we drink something cheaper after this bottle." She giggles swaying a bit too far, she had to catch herself with her hand on Venser's shoulder. "Oops." She smiled at him.
''Heh heh whoa there- Hic! Hic!'' He draped an arm around Tempey's waist and pulled her close to him, noticing his arm barely went around her. ''Don't want you- Hic! Falling out of your seat now... What shall we drink next? This shit used to burn the shit out of my throat when I was younger... Ooh! How about the tavern's strongest drink? Like, whoa.''
The half giantess giggled as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. "I was going to be just..fine." She smiled brightly. "That sounds like the best worst idea ever. Let's drink the strongest. Hit me with your best shot, oh bar wench.''
''Still.'' Venser disappeared in a puff of thick red smoke and reappeared next to a barrel beside the bar. He held up his left hand and his mark glowed bright greenish white, then began to emit steam. Two tankards floated over to him in a green aura and hovered in the air, he made them hover closer together then dunked all of them at the same time into the barrel full of glowing blue liquid. ''Here we are. Blue Lagoons..''
"Oh my it sounds fruity." Tempey scrunched her nose as she accepted one of the drinks. "I suppose I'll hardly taste it at this point anywho." She shrugs lightly and throws the drink back only to realize she had drank it all in so few sips. ''Mhm!'' Terribly fruity, though it did hit her harder than straight bourbon. She curled a fist and slammed it down with a loud thud into the wooden bartop.
''It is fruity... I'm not such a big fan of this either... Toooooooo fruity! But still, damn strong.'' He took a heavy swig and let out a deep sigh. ''Kinda- Hic! In this drunken state... If ya don't drink it. Then- Hic! I'll make ya Tempey...''
The half giantess smiled sweetly down at the five ten bartender, "I'd like to see you try, but it seems I've already finished it."
''Like to- Hic! Like to- Hic! See me try huh? Very well then...'' Venser drank some of the Blue Lagoon, got up and knelt in his seat, and then locked his lips with Tempey's, then allowed the strong, fruity drink to flow into her mouth.
Temperance Datheur was startled to say the least, her mismatched eyes widened and once she sipped it all down she was more shocked than anything. "Oh my..." Was all she managed to say, she was very awkward in these situations.
''What do you think?'' Venser asked with a smile, holding his tankard in one hand. Surprised, clearly. He took notice of her clothes, some parts were stained with the drinks she had spilt. Drinks had been spilt on the bar as well, Venser was gonna have to clean it when he could.
"It's not terrible." She confessed. She follows his gaze and also realizes the messes that have been made. She only giggles, "Look what you've done bar wench!" She exclaimed and held her long arms out wide at the mess before them.
Venser shook his head and gibbered slightly. ''The shadow tendrils can clean it.'' Upon hearing it, a snakey shadowy hand shot out from behind the bar, grabbed a cloth, and began to wipe down the bar. ''Now... Look what we've done to your armor and those cloth parts. I think we should get you out of them... And get you a good rest after a long day of travel...''
"I'm sure you do, but you see I do not have any other clothes. I left them on my horse and I'm not sure walking down the stairs is the best idea right now, oh bar wench." Eyes glancing over at the shadow thing clean up the bar's mess.
''Oh Tempey. Clothes are a prison. That banded metal, metal bars. You don't need em...'' Venser said leaning forward, slurring now. He nuzzled his head against hers.
She leaned part of her weight against his head trying to still hold herself up. "Then I suppose you won't be needing yours either?"
''Fuck no!'' He laughed a bit and put his arm around her waist again. ''Oh... You would not believe the times Roselie has yelled at- Hic! Me for bartending naked. Or getting drunk and expsosing myself to the patrons... Hic! Sides... I'm not the one who spilt, all that ya know, over her outfit.''
The half giantess smirked yet again, "Well you kept serving me so you are partially to blame." She giggled and shivers lightly as his hand kept feeling her up. She pushed her forehead against his lightly nudging her nose against his cheek.
''Welcome to the Dragon' Head Tavern and Inn...'' He mumbled hearing the front door open. Venser moved his head to the side and buried his face in her neck, then with one tried to grab his nearly empty tankard of Blue Lagoon.
Tempey watched closely as he reached for the nearly empty tankard and she nudged it just right so that what's left of it spills onto bits of his clothing. "Oops, look what you've done now." She laughs.
''This suit was made by the Royal Dressmaker of... Urp! Sugablahblahomsiyahanna... Gonna have to get out of it and something clean...'' He mumbled before he began to kiss and suck on Tempey's neck, letting out another low seductive growl and nipping just a bit.
Unusual for herself, the armored traveling warrior, Tempey giggled and squirmed at the kisses on her neck and smiled as he spoke. She leaned towards his ear and whispers, "I don't feel bad if that's what you're trying to go for."
''The opposite my dear, shexy Tempey... Trying to make you feel good now... Real good!'' The handsome barkeep whispered back leaving a small bruise on the left side of her neck. His vision began to blur and he slurred more. ''Hic!''
Tempey smiled again, and glares at him when she realizes he had left a mark. "You rarely behave, don't you?"
''No... Hic! I don't...'' He gazed at Tempey longingly, examining her body, all it's curves. Perfect breasts. Well, judging by the way she carried herself and the armor she wore, she had to be strong and healthy. And the height... Tall women were the best. ''Ya know... I think some of Angel's old dresses will fit you... She was a pretty tall girl too. Well like... Eh they'll be short but like... Yeah!''
The half giantess swayed in her chair smiling at him. "What are we still doing at this bar? You said you live in one of these rooms?''
''Indeed.'' Venser stood up and offered his hand to Tempey. ''Allow me- Hic! Allow me to show you to my quarters.''
Tempey stumbled off of the chair but luckily had his hand to grab lightly enough not to drag him down on accident with her inhuman strength. Though soon she grabbed his entire arm to feel more structured, "Please do."
''You gonna be able to walk? Bah... Lemme save the walking... Hold on...'' Both of them disappeared in a quick, cloud of thick red smoke and reappeared down the left hall in front of a door with a crude replica of his curved, pointed helmet kept around for an outfit he planned to put together, but instead became a mere decoration. Some parts of the door were discolored, due to Venser getting drunk too many times and throwing various bottles of liquor at his door. He pushed the door open with one hand and the helmet fell onto the floor. ''Gonna have to renail that later...'' He mumbled stepping over it and into his room.
Tempey wasn't sure she liked his methods of transportation but she couldn't help but giggle with all the smoke. She grasped the wall to walk in and she smiled softly, "You're messy." She turned to him with a bright smile drawn upon her lips and her eyes lit up. She swayed again and caught herself on the wall giggling again. "You should have cut me off bar wench.."
Venser's room was fairly big. A queen sized bed lay by the windows, and it was covered in turqouise silk sheets and he had about a dozen pillows all with furry gold throwovers. The royal colors of his homeland. Off to the left was a wardrobe with a few dresses hanging out, some spilt onto the floor. Beside that was a mannequin with Venser's original outfit. To the right of the bed was a desk with a bag of gold in it, a mirror, and a few pieces of jewelry and some small boxes. Right beside it was various papers and pieces of art. Above Venser's bed was a multicolored painting of a woman's vagina, and below that his signature double bladed sword, the Dual Personality that he had just retired, seeing as cool as it was to fight with a doubled bladed sword, he needed one hand free for magic.
''Oh come on... People are a lot more fun when drunk! Ha ha!'' He took Tempey's arm and pulled her into the room with him, using more strength than usual due to Temperance being one mighty glacier.
She studied the room and some of it was very comical to her, other parts of it seemed slightly dark but she wouldn't speak of any of it. She was surprised to be pulled into his room so rapidly, she swayed and stumbled in catching herself on him once more. "So sorry." She smirked and studied his face again, knowing she would never forget it soon enough.
A cocky smile on his face, he brushed his hair back and teleported around the half giantess again, using one foot to slam his door shut and then making a back hand motion at Tempey, hitting her with a gust of wind and pushing her back, and she voluntarily fell onto her back in his bed, the frame creaking just a bit, climbing atop her and letting out a moan. ''Excited?''
The blood was pumping at twice it's rate through the half giantess's body as she could only give him a nod of affirmation. This was the kind of touch she had not been use to for a long time now. She smiled up at him as her back laid against his bed.
Venser smiled back and removed his tie and his coat, tossing them near his mannequin, noting he would wash them later. Beneath his shirt he was muscular, and barrel chested. With slight claw marks running up and down his chest. Directly to the left of Venser's bed, stood a nightstand. And on that nightstand was a long white feather that glowed whitish blue, illuminating the room in a beautiful light. Venser walked forward and bent down by Tempey, then locked lips with her yet again.
The alcohol, the lighting, and the bar keep were all so intoxicating she felt overwhelmed but she still wore a truly happy smile. Was this a dream? She watched and studied him as he removed his coat and tie, she said nothing, just watched, mouth slightly agape seeing his barreled chest. When he bent down by her and pressed his lips against hers once more she smiled again before pressing her lips back firmly against his.
Venser planted kiss after kiss onto Tempey's rosy lips, each one ranging from soft and gentle to rough and quick. He wore a very happy smile as well, his hands running across her tall body, undoing the cloth fittings of her armor to remove it.
Temperance Datheur shivered underneath him, she felt his hand run over her hot body. Her lips remained locked with his as she matched each of his kisses, the smile never leaving her lips.