This Round's On Me [Open To All]

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

Zeshin had just finsihed his prep for the impeding rush he and his mother anticipated for tonight. After placing the last of his prepared meats and vegatable in the large refridgerator in the kitchen, Zeshin began to inspect his cutlery, heating it's edges with his vision, rendering them easier to sharpen. This was one of the last free moments he would have this evening so he took his time sharping his knives and honing his newfound ability, having refined his abilty to generate heat in the form of vibrant light emitted from his eyes, it's concentration varying with his concentration. Aborbing the heat from the shapend knives he left to cool on the counter, Zeshin placed them in the various pockets of his smock, washing his hands afterward.

"ZESHIN, IT'S TIME SO MOVE YOUR BUTT." Maia called out to her soon, indicting that the first wave of customers had begun to pour in. Smiling, Zeshin walked the the front of the bar from the kitchen, filling a customers drink for his mother as she took another person's order, nodding at Issac from the corner of the room. Nani approached the bar with a small tub of dishes in her hands, a furrowed look on her face from the messy table she had just serviced which disappeared when she saw Zeshin smile, as her face matched his when their eyes caught, her turning away to blush while he simply trotted off to begin the night's activities.

[Yoshi Tokugawa]

Tokugawa Yoshi confidently pushed open the door to the pub and walked through, followed by the twin monks, Sho Kei Matsu and Sho Shaohan Xiang. Yoshi felt really accomplished: He had recently received his dual black belt in Yin Style Baguazhang, by defeating Kei and Shaohan, respectively. Afterward, Sensei Tonbo, the elder at the school, asked Yoshi to escort the young men into the world, and lead them to the next part of their destiny, which would intertwine with his. But now it was time to celebrate.

Yoshi, Kei and Shaohan sat in a dimly lit corner.

"Barkeep!" Yoshi called out. " Your finest of Wines!"

"I've never seen you so excited." Shaohan remarked folding his arms after placing his scepter against the wall nearby.

" It makes sense to celebrate in the outside world." Kei responded calmly. Naturally to internalists of the monastery like us wouldn't celebrate Mastering Baguazhang. It's expected of us. In addition, Yoshi mastered the Art twice over in what took us a lifetime to learn. That's quite the accomplishment.

Hey! You're giving me way to much credit. Yoshi waved.

Well, now that we're outside the monastery, we can master our other abilities. Shaohan pointed out.

As Kei nodded in response, yoshi turned his head back and forth betwix the two nervously.

Ok, what does that mean??

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

Zeshin filled another patron's glass as he heard the call for service form the table across the soon to be crowded bar. At the table sat three men, monks from the look of their clothing and the staffs nearby, as Zeshin remembered listening to Issac's tales of staying at a monastery in his early days as a wanderer, their appearance reminding the boy of these stories. "Mom, I'm going to that table over there, be back in a sec." Zeshin said as Maia nodded in acknowledgment, mixing a bright blue beverage for a gruff looking man with a large bag on his back at the counter.

Making sure his apron was tight, Zeshin tied the string wrapped around his back, knotting it in the front, and then proceeded the large cabinet to fetch some of the bottles of wine. "I thought monks weren't supposed to drink casually." Zeshin said to himself, sighing as he turned around with a large bottle in his hand, seeing Issac enjoy his warm sake in the corner. Zeshin had got him the bottle as a gift in his travels to the country of Japan while he helped Nani in her search for the man the killed her grandfather, and his enjoyment of the liquor made Zeshin's go from mild shame to happiness, smiling at his teacher as he walked over to the bar to grab three glasses, making his way to the table right after table.

"Good evening fellas, I'm Zeshin your barkeep for the evening, can I get anything else for you tonight outside of this bottle of sherry of course." Zeshin said as he approached the table, pouring the 3 glasses to the half way point, pouring anymore would take away from the sophistication of the beverage. Setting the bottle on the table, Zeshin took out three menu's from his apron and handed them to all three men, and crossed his arms, waiting for their order.

[Yoshi Tokugawa]

"Ah. " Yoshi responded. "Three orders of Toad'la Rouge." Turning to his friends, Yoshi smiled warmly. It's a favorite of Mine and a Delicacy.

Kei nodded gently."That's fine. with all those choices, I couldn't possibly choose."

Leaning forward onto the table Yoshi extended his elbows and placed his head onto his fists. He spoke as he removed a lock of Viridian Hair from his face.

My Question?

I've got it.
Shaohan said as he stared into his Hand. "Do you remember when sensei stared into your hand?"

Yoshi looked over at Shaohan with interest in his eyes. Then Shohan continued.

Kei and I both have elemental gifts as well. As I am told I harness dark energy.

My powers Harness all elements in combination.Kei added. But we have very little practice with our abilites because magics are fobidden in the temple and school.

Yoshi sat back and pondered this news after nodding. He couldn't believe that the monks had such abilities he had to make his own Cold magic as well. Maybe there was a place they could all learn together....

[Hatulan]

I've been away for a long time, Hatulan mused, wandering the countryside.
So much has happened since I first met Master Draco.
He adjusted the well-worn, mis-matched armor that had become something of a trademark for himself, as he encountered the establishment.
Haven't seen this place before, have I? he allowed himself a rare moment of self-doubt.
He sensed another dragon's presence, but there was a subtle difference to it...
He shifted his sheathed sword so that it sat farther back from his side, further from his swordhand's reach, to show other patrons that his desire was not for a fight this evening.
Hatulan followed up by removing his helmet as well, before entering.
He was careful about opening the door, so as to not barge in on anyone leaving, though the hour made that not so likely.
He scanned the dining area and noted a young man the draconic essence emenated from, fleeting glimpses of an older woman, and three males at a table.
He nodded to all, and made his way to the bar in long, purposeful strides.
"Any specialties in this place?" he queried, in a polite tone.

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

Zeshin faced looked puzzled as he heard the man's order. In all his short years of cooking, he'd never heard of such a bizarre sounding dish, and chalked it up to being a local specialty from where these three men were from. As he collected their menus, Zeshin overheard their conversation, wanting to join in as they began to discuss their magic and magic in general, a subject that piqued Zeshin's interest. But He knew it was rude to inject in the conversation of strangers and walked away from the table, menu's in hand.

As he got closer to the bar a familiar presence filled the room, as a new comer to the bar entered the doors at Karrasi. Zeshin turned to see who it was, thinking of the woman with the silver hair and dress that revealed herself to be a Dragon almost a year ago. Instead it was a young looking man, wearing armor that clashed in color, but to Zeshin's keen eye for metalwork and detail, it looked as if it would provide for more than adequate protection. He asked Zeshin politely what were the specialties of the house, and Zeshin handed him a menu with a nervous smile. "This might sound weird seeing as I've never seen you before but... do I know you from somewhere?" Zeshin asked in a mutual polite yet awkward manner.

[Hatulan]

"Perhaps, perhaps not," Hatulan replied, accepting the menu while gauging the young man's posture, "my name is Hatulan Pagtimbangin Sarili."
He flipped open the menu and glanced at the meal items available; some were dishes he'd heard of, and tasted before, but no one dish ever tasted the same, even when prepared by the same cook.
He had a flash of insight and seized upon it.
"I suppose it depends on whether you've met Master Draco," he stated calmly and clearly, looking up from the menu.
At the same time, he half-sat on a bar stool, waiting for the young man's response.

[Yoshi Tokugawa]

"To be honest guys," Yoshi Began. "Im a little rusty, too." "Alright," Shaohan interjected. "Let's go out into the fields outside town after lunch and see if we can give our abilities a stretch. I'd really like to see if it adds a new edge to Baguazhang." Shaohan rubbed his hands in excitement. Tokugawa Yoshi sat up straight. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea. But let's go to the forest. I don't want us to draw any attention. There I can teach you both how to extract from your mana."
Kei ajdusted his seat. "That's a wise Idea."

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

The name Draco echoed within the deepest region of Zeshin's being, a familiarity he could not easily recalled, but the ripple was there nonetheless. Zeshin heard the men behind him who's orders he had taken and snapped back to the present, still trying to recall what exactly comprised the foreign dish the men order as he looked at the man at the bar with the long, and interesting name. "Draco huh... sounds familiar but... I can't place a name to face, sorry. Here's a menu, the lady at the bar can take your order when your ready sir, excuse me." Zeshin said, handing Hatulan a menu, and gesturing to his mother, who was mixing drinks for another patron at the time. After excusing himself, Zeshin retreated to the kitchen to prepare the meal the 3 gentlemen ordered.

Taking out a very large cookbook from a shelf above the stove, Zeshin set the tome on the counter and casually admired the dust that the book collected. Opening its cover, Zeshin carefully eyed each recipe in the book, his search slow at first, but he grew impatient and feverishly began to tear through the book. "Dammit, why couldn't they order something simple..." Zeshin thought closing the book, his search for the recipe futile. Holding out his hands, Zeshin formed a small fire ball, waving his hands to contort the flame as he moved it onto the grill, using his magic to spread it over the cover of the of the griddle. After the the top was sufficiently heated, Zeshin tighten his apron as he thought what he was going to make.

[Cielle Blanche]

Cielle tentatively peeked her head into the tavern. It seemed rather lively tonight, and she was hoping that the atmosphere would be merry so that she wouldn't be noticeable. She was still in her school uniform, after all, and she was hoping that despite that she would be hired. Her shoulder length hair flowed behind her, her glasses glinting with the lights that dance around the room.

She had gotten out of class a few hours ago, and she had already managed to do the reading for their spring vacation. She felt as though she needed more, and as her mother was only funding her living space, she would need money for outside activities. She didn't want to be holed up the entire time...surely there was more to Mortal life than just going to school. She'd been to the movies one time with one of the members of her pack, and she had seen some of them playing video games and things of that nature.

She wanted to do them with non-magical people. Stress free and away from magic.

At the same time, however, she wasn't sure if she wanted to associate personally with any of those who were in the bar right now--they all seemed rather rough. Seating herself on one of the stools at the bar, and she patiently waited to be waited on by those who ran the bar.

[Kanjin Taiyou]

[Taiyou's post in this thread happens after the magic in the 7th layer of Hell prevents him from gaining access to Tomo's castle]

Appearing in a small rural city after yet again an unsuccessful attempt at Sanada Tomo, Taiyou found himself wanting to be as far away from Celestials as possible. Walking up to a small tarvern, Taiyou opened the door and walked inside, stopping at the door in thought, "Better leave this outside..." Taiyou said, dropping his weapon Fuuenken on the ground, walking inside as all heads turned toward him to see the noise. Ignoring them, Taiyou walked to the bar where he saw a woman serving drinks.

Pulling out cigarette, Taiyou let the stick with a flame on his index finger, taking a pull as he called the barmaid over. "Something cold and hard ma'am..." Taiyou said, blowing his smoke away from the bar as he looked at one of the menu's left on the counter. Taiyou then looked around to see there were several people here tonight, all of them non Celestial, and he took another drag, closing his eyes to enjoy the taste of his cigarette.

[Yoshi Tokugawa]

"People are beginning to pile in here", Shaohan allowed. He took the time to survey the current state of the tavern, especially the girl sitting by the bar. Yoshi responded, "Well, it's getting later into the day, and people are starting to get hungry. He then pulled and arrow from the small quiver of arrows on his right side and twirled it around in his fingers for a while before speaking again. "We may end up resting here in this town. It's will be too dark to continue the road to Niebelheim."

Kei adjusted his arm. Another fine Idea. But now I'm getting anxious to spar. I hope the food hurries along.

It will. And then you guys can help me with this sword, too. Yoshi smiled to himself with great pride at the thought of the worn metal blade, and how he couldn't wait to refinish it.

[Shounin Aika]

Aika walked through the Tavern doorways, people going and coming left and right. She thought about having a drink before seeing her children. Then the thought turned from having a drink because she needed to calm her nerves to just to have a drink.

I'm not ready to go back there yet, she thought as she made her way through to the back of the place, finding a table to sit at all by her self. It wasn't to just be alone, she wanted to scope out the place before drinking, something that she had to lean to do later in life. Sitting down, Aika waited for her drink to be ordered, taking out a deck of playing cards and placing them on the table.

[Hatulan]

Hatulan observed the young man's reaction closely, intently.
He knows, yet not knows, he thought, curious at the jumbled emotions on the man's face.
"Thank you," he says, nodding as the young man takes his leave, but delays opening the menu as he watches the girl enter the establishment, looking too young to be a regular, but emanating ambiguous supranatural sensations.
She sits a comfortable distance away from him, and he nods to her, refraining from striking up a conversation, in case the young man returns.
Then the ground trembles in a certain familiar way and Hatualn looks to the door, noticing the irascible man from the Mortal park, who had recklessly endangered many lives and caused so much destruction, after provoking Rosey into a fight.
He shook his head and hoped that Taiyou wouldn't try to start something in the restaurant.
And then another female entered, her face clearly displaying strong concern over something, heading to a secluded table at the back.
Interesting collection of people in here, Hatulan mused.

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

Back at the bar, Maia turned to a rather large and burly man who smelled of smoke. In a courteous gesture, be blew his smoke away from the bar and began to look at he menu, as Maia grabbed a mug and filled it with Dragon Ale from the tap. "Here... try this and please put your ashes in the tray sir." Maia said, a little annoyed but thankful to not have a face full of smoke, setting both the beer and the ashtray in front of the man. Walking over to the armored man the she saw her son speaking to earlier, "Can I grab anything for you sir, food or beverage or spirits?" Maia said in a courteous voice, calling Nani to the bar afterward. "Direct you order to her sir, excuse me please." Maia said leaving Nani to serve the man armored man as she went to serve more people as they approached the counter.

Nani smiled at the man and pulled out a small note pad, and removed the blue pencil being held in place by her ear. "The food is really good here sir, what would you like?" Nani asked, happy she had grown accustomed to taking orders after the few months of working at the tavern.

After some time, Zeshin made his way back to the table of monks with a platter of rice, topped with finely slice strips of meat, still sizzling on the skewers, surrounded by freshly chopped and sauteed vegetables of all kinds. Setting the massive platter on the table, Zeshin motioned to the men to clear the table, as he set down the hot platter. "Watch out gentlemen, this one's kinda hot." Zeshin with a smile on his face, proud of the dish he had made after some effort in searching for the recipe. Taking out some clean utensils from his apron, Zeshin set the napkins and knives and forks on the table for his patrons.

Zeshin then took the time to notice that the bar had suddenly filled while he was in the back. Sighing just a little, Zeshin looked back at the table and smiled at the monks, "If I can get you guys anything else just holler for me, excuse me fellas." Zeshin said as he made his rounds to serve more patrons. Walking up to a young women with black hair, Zeshin casually approached her table from behind, hoping not to startle her. "Heya, never seen you around here, can I get you anything?" Zeshin said to the young woman, his smile causing his eyes to squint as his cheeks rose in a silly, yet playful smile.

[Cielle Blanche]

Cielle smiled at the nice barboy who had offered her his services. "If you have any meat specials, that would be nice. I would also like some bubbling apple cider, if you please." It indeed had been many moon since she had the pleasure of delighting in meat of any kind. Her mother had kept her down to vegetables and fruits to help curb any desire to hunt while she was masquerading as a Human. Cielle wasn't the type to attack anyone by any means, but she had to admit that eating fruits and veggies had helped her out a lot. She no longer had a look of hunger on her face while she was attempting to eat dinner in a restaurant, and she was now eating in smaller portions. Things were certainly turning up--she would have to get her pack on the same diet. It would make them much more managable.

"That's all." Deciding to distract him from anything about her that would rouse attention, she added, "Unless, you would care to add a small side of affection to that order. I wouldn't mind that at all."

[Kanjin Taiyou]

Taiyou opened his eyes to find a frothy mug of golden, crisp brew in front of him, as well as an ashtray and a stern warning to not drop any of his ash from the Barmaid. Smiling, Taiyou nodded and removed his cigarette, then he took a large gulp of the mug, downing it in one go. Licking the form from around his mouth, Taiyou smiled and smacked his tongue, "This is excellent, can I have this in a pitcher please?" Taiyou said in a rather excited manner. As he set the glass down, Taiyou looked over to the side of the bar and saw a familiar face, the armored man who traveled with the violent Fae, Rosey, who attacked Taiyou unprovoked in a park a little while ago.

Taiyou then turned in his chair to make sure if Rosey wasn't in the general vicinity, hoping she wasn't so no one would be hurt here and he could enjoy this night without another needless altercation. Taiyou had one opponent, Sanada Tomoyo, and only then he told himself would he lift his sword in malice. Not seeing Rosey, he saw the green haired archer from his altercation with the vampire, shooting him a wave of hello before he turned back to his seat at the bar to find a mug of the drink in front of him. Taking out some bills, he place them under his empty mug and drank from the large pitcher.

[Yoki Chepi-Isi]

Yoki walked in to the establishment looking for Hatulan after finding some clothes to put on to be more acceptable in the public. Although she was pretty sure that the male species wouldn't mind her being in the nude. She went over to the bar upon seeing Hatulan still looking at a menu, being careful to slink past the humans that she past by. She finally jumped on him when she got close enough and accidentally let out a deer sound. She let go of him after awhile and looked around after she caught different scents that were clearly weren't human, which made her a bit comfortable in the diverse setting.

"Wow, this is an interesting place. There are people that aren't humans here, I can smell it." She made a quick glance around the place once more and notice the -jin in the corner. "There's a -jin! Here, out in the open. I guess I won't need the hat." She took off the hat she was wearing and wriggled her ears a bit. She sat on the bar stool next to him and looked around again to see if she was getting any weird stares. Though when she looked no one was looking at her.

"So whats good here?" She said looking at the menu he was holding.

[Hatulan]

"Eh?" Hatulan queried as he felt someone small and light throwing themselves at him.
"Oh, Yoki!" he exclaimed, hugging her affectionately, then hurriedly tried to hide his surprise and pleasure at seeing her again; he lamented his Mortal form's inability to suppress blushing.
"Um, what are you doing here?" he asked, "I thought you'd be with Rosey."

He was used to seeing her in the nude, but clothing seemed to do naught but accentuate everything about her; excepting hats, for which he was grateful she removed.
"Yeah, there are quite a few striking individuals in here," he commented, carefully selecting the adjective as he nodded in Taiyou's direction.
He turned back to her and addressed the question about the menu.
"This," he said, holding up the collection of meal options, "is not a menu."
"It's an assembly of various dishes from throughout the region."

"Any one of them are good, but I've never seen them all on one place."
He shook his head.
"Whoever is the cook for this establishment is either a genius or insane."

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

Nani didn't notice the petite young woman with the ears of a doe seated next to her patron, her eyes watching as Zeshin, as he made friendly conversation with a young, attractive raven haired woman. Caught in a mild fit of envy, her diverted attention was quickly returned to her as Maia tossed an olive at the back of head, snapping her back to task at hand. Turning back to face Maia, her face reddened with a mild blush of embarrassment, before she could even apologize, Maia simply stated, "Just take their order, Nani..." turning back to service the people at the bar, taking the money the large man left under his empty mug and continuing filling mugs of ale and mixing cocktails as if she never stopped to scold the girl.

Begrudgingly turning away from the table where Zeshin conversed, Nani turned back to her patrons, sighing. "I apologize for not being attentive, what would you like to order miss." Nani said in a sweet voice, hiding her annoyance at the moment.

Back at the table, Zeshin found himself gallivanting at the table with the young woman who caught Nani's attention. Blushing at her comment, Zeshin smiled and placed his hands behind his back as he sat down, "Don't worry, affection is guaranteed here, and none of our sides are small." Zeshin said slyly, leaning back in a suave manner, only for his chair to tip to far back, causing him to fall flat on his back. Rubbing the back of his head, Zeshin looked back at the young woman at the table, who seemed different to him somehow, different like himself he thought, not able to discern what made her so special. "I'll be back with some Beef Shank Skewers, and the cider's on the house, the name is Zeshin by the way." Zeshin said, walking away from the table in mild embarrassment.

As he left the table, he walked over to the lone women who was playing cards. "I am sorry I missed your order ma'am, I'm Zeshin, what would you like to order?" Zeshin asked, taking a menu from his apron and handing it to the woman.