Long day. Brutally, infinitely long day. Chains around the man's ankles clinked as he dragged his feet down the sidewalk, each step feeling like the last he could manage. 'Just a little further,' he thought, his eyes scanning the road ahead for any refuge that might offer a chance to rest. A breeze blew his open coat the cool night air chilling his too-pale skin. When his eyes finally alighted on the door of the bar, his groan of relief could have woken a sleeping giant. He reached the door, and with a heavy sigh, he pushed it open.
The scene that greeted his crimson eyes was the furthest thing from what he expected. Old habits die hard, and his eyes immediately scanned the room, searching for some shadow to hide in. He took a step into the room, and the chain around his ankle clinked noisily. 'Right,' he thought bitterly. 'So much for stealth.' His eyes drifted to the two women at the bar, and he mentally added, 'Not that I'll need it, it seems. I sincerely doubt I'll need to worry about people looking at anything else.' With a ghost of his usual smirk flickering across his face, he dragged his body to the nearest seat and collapsed, his heavy coat remaining open to reveal the various cuts, scrapes, bruises, and scars that had been accumulated only that evening.
He opened his mouth for the first time, and with a voice that seemed to carry despite its volume, he asked, "Could I have a glass of water, please?" Wincing slightly, he added, "And possibly a bandage or two."