This has got to be a joke. No quest, no excitement, and its a new moon tonight so not even the lights of the moon are going to be here to accompany me. To be honest, this genuinely a first for me. Having just nothing to do. No direction. Legitimately bored. What is there to do other than...

Hmm, Swineherd Pub? I've heard of this place since I have been here but these last few weeks, there has not been much time for anything else other than working and trying to gather the funds to visit these other places for my journey. But since there is nothing to do, I guess there should be no harm in having a nice drink for once.

Mmm. This place smelled like I expected. Cigars, booze, knock off colognes, and perfumes. But even still the atmosphere of the room was well kept. People seemed to be actually enjoying themselves at several of the tables enjoying feels of comradery and actual jovial nature.

This is actually enjoying to walk into, though considering the eyes of those that were watching me from afar were not too welcoming... I guess not everyone was here to have a good time. But I'm not here for a fight or to even find a woman. Just want to pass the time and have a relaxing time in the bar just for once.

Three empty stools, I'll just go ahead and sit in the middle. The least people around me the better. Besides with the folks that gave me the shadiest looks, there is no way that I'll feel comfortable with them at my back. But then again what did you expect when you were in a town like Oak.

"Aint you a little young to be in spot like this. By yourself. "

The big burly bartender seemed to handle the glasses in his massive hands with delicate care and poise. Which I'm sure he could have smashed in the palm of his hands. So it's safe to say a smart remark won't be getting me very far. Of course, I could just use magic to take him down but that would be an unnecessary hassle that would only make things more annoying.

"Well, I've been taking care of myself since I was a teenager. Even though I may look like one. With these scars, I can assure you. I'm old enough. "

"Well said. What will you be having to drink then? "

Mmm, I don't think having any alcohol will be such a smart thing to do. Especially since I'm here by myself.

"I'll just have a water. "

Ha. His expression says it all. Definitely out of place. The raised eyebrow and the shaking of his head told me all I needed to know.

"Just water? Heh, How long have you been in town kid? A week, two? "

I guess I do stick out that much. Ah, refreshing.

"That obvious huh? Two weeks. Doing jobs and just searching. "

"Searching for what? "

"Excitement. Purpose. "

"Well, I don't think you will be finding too much of either in here. We don't like too much "excitement" especially with mages around. Also if you are one of them mages, no magic allowed. We don't need any mythical bs to clean up. And for a purpose, you're better off elsewhere. Try the church. "

Heh, a church. That would be a fine joke indeed. Me at a church where people feel the need to worship their gods through stone and structure.

"Well, the night is young my friend. Who knows what may happen? "

I just hope not the only thing worthwhile about tonight is this cool glass of water.

I feel...power. Soft and humming, not torrential or threatening. Like someone was trying to maintain a low profile or they simply were not in the mood to cause harm or trouble of any sort. Though it was definitely safe to say there was definitely another mage in this room and they just got here.

Hmm, the feeling is getting closer, they must be close even more so than normal but why would they be headed this way. So is someone coming to attack me for no reason? Is this an attack on me for working with the Martellus family? Which means that who better would you send to kill a mage than another mage. Which means that the only possible suspects would be someone from Phantom Lord or another guildless mercenary.

Therefore, I can use this glass of water to create a brief disruption before I can get to an area that won't put others lives in danger from this inevitable battle that would more than likely occur.

Here it is... The energy is right here and the would-be attacker is... A little girl? Mmmm, I guess there is a genius in it. She would be the perfect diversion from the typical and mundane. She seems to be rather soft in the face. Definitely, would catch someone off the cuff.

Hmm, though considering how the bartender reacted to her alludes to the fact that she has been here many times before. So then that means she has been here many times before I even got here. Which throws out the attacker idea. And she's here for another reason. But, why would a child come to bar, let alone by herself? Tch, This reminds me of those days. Though she is certainly much younger than I was during those days. And certainly friendlier than I was.

"Didn't your parents ever tell you to not talk to strangers? Why are you here kid? "

Hopefully, she doesn't take this as me being rude, but there is something about her that tells me there is more to this than normal. And I would rather not be in any situation unprepared.

I see. Definitely reminds me of those days long ago. When my parents died, I was abrasive, defensive, and hard-headed. I didn't desire to listen to anyone about what I should be doing, where my parents were or why I was where I was. So her response doesn't seem to be wrong in the least, she's merely defending her self-interest and was there to make conversation. Tch, very much like me in those days indeed. Pushing everyone away though at the same time desiring for some form of companionship or interaction. Therefore, no need to take those remarks personally.

Though speaking of personal, is that a beast? A companion of sorts with a nice white coat and soft paws, he or she definitely was comfortable in this place which also alludes to the fact that this girl has been here many times before. Well, that is beautiful in the least, she hasn't had to be by herself for a long time. Someone to walk with her in her journey. Being alone on the road can do something to an individual especially someone as young as this one.

"I meant no disrespect, I lost my parents as well so I know your pain. And it's blessing to have a friend like yours there. "

Lemonade? Ha, I guess were two folks who don't really fit in the current atmosphere do we. That is refreshing.

"I'm not much of a coffee shop or a building kind of person in general. I enjoy being outside and among the world experiencing what life has to offer. But alas, I'm here. Enough of that though, what brought you two together? "