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Damn these guys are rowdy...

Of course, it was probably to be expected, being in a bandit infested area. And inside a pub no less. It was some distance away from Genyiel, but that was fine for both Blade and Astalder. While that place technically was their home, a sense of wanderlust hit them now and then, causing them to travel the lands. This time around, it had brought them to a town in the borderlands. Buildings here were worn and old. Most of the folk that inhabited this place were ruffians, or people who were just passing through.

A fair amount of those ruffians were also in this run-down and rickety pub, drunk. Overall, it enough that Blade was able to lift a fair amount of coin from the lot without any problems. He probably could have grabbed more if he wanted to, but there really wouldn't be much of a challenge to do that from this group. His thieving tendencies was never about the gold in any case... well sometimes it was, but only if it meant being able to eat. Outside of necessity, it was for the thrill and challenge. One of these days, wanted to try and rob one of the castles. Even if he only made away with one trinket, it would likely be worth it for the test.

Astalder had picked up on some of these klepto tendencies himself, having become more attracted to shiny objects after the binding had taken place. He was poked at now and then for following one of the dragon stereotypes because of that. Speaking of the dragon, he currently was in the outskirts nearby, getting a meal for himself. There was no way he was going to fit in that crowded pub comfortably anyway.

But he kept in contact with his Dragon-Bound, keeping track of how the man felt. He was more than ready to storm the place if need be, should trouble stir up. No one was going to be messing with his bound if he could help it.

Of course, the moment he had thought of that, someone had apparently kicked open the door and swaggered on inside. At least that was the impression he got from inside of Blade's head.

Many of the pub's inhabitants paused their merry-making to see who it was that slammed the door open more or less. A few shot some dirty looks but most were too drunk to really care. Before long, they were shouting and laughing and drinking their hearts out.

Blade raised an eyebrow at the newcomer. At first he thought it might be someone looking for trouble, but after watching the man for a few moments it didn't seem to be the case. In fact, if he wasn't mistaken it looked as if the guy had been expecting something. As for what a man might expect in a place like this, he wasn't sure. There was that, and the fact that the guy had darker skin than most of the people around here.

Curiosity was starting to get the better of him here. And quite frankly, it might be nice to talk to someone who was intoxicated out of their mind.

<> warned Astalder mentally. He too was somewhat curious, but he felt that caution needed to be taken here. This area was pretty rough as far as the locals went, so he felt they generally needed to watch their backs while they were here.

Unfortunately, the thief wasn't quite able to make it to where the new stranger sat a large man bumped into him on the way there. Nearly knocked over from the collision, he regathered himself and shot a glare at the other. He probably would have just let it slide but then..

"Wotch were ye goin' punk!" boomed the big guy, whose breath was heavy with the scent of alcohol.

"I was about to say the same to you," he replied somewhat cooly.

Astalder paused from eating his meal as he 'listened' in on what was going on in the pub. It figures that trouble would eventually brew. Shaking his head, he reluctantly stood up from chowing down on the deer carcass. Perhaps nothing big will happen and he can continue to eat in relative peace. That was what he was hoping in any case.

Not exactly expecting or liking being spoken back to, the heavy and burly man stepped closer, practically looming over Blade. A few of the man's lackeys had stepped up to back the guy up as well.

<>

The dragon's words echoed through his mind. Yes, he was told to be careful but he wasn't about to let himself get pushed around by some drunkard. Out of the corner of his eyes, he caught the dark skinned stranger standing up as well. There was also the sound of what seemed to be coins dropping to the ground, but he didn't pay much attention to that. Was that guy just another lackey? It didn't seem likely.

"I dun t'ink I herd ye t'well. Why don'cha say dat again?" the larger man slurred.

"I said, I was about to say the same. You were the one that nearly bowled me over."

Meanwhile, in the corner, one man seemed to be getting excited over all the tension. He had a wild, yet drunken grin about as he anticipated something to break out.

"T-TUBBY!?" boomed the large man. His face was a nice dark scarlet hue; a mixture from the alcohol and from rage. As he fumed, the two men that were there to back him up murmured lowly. Apparently the big guy was a little sensitive about his size.

Raising an eyebrow at the dark stranger, Blade smirked and made a note to thank the guy later. It was always nice to know there was someone on your side after all.

Before much else could happen, the jittery man in the corner jumped up to his feet.

"BAAAAAAAR FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!" he shouted before punching out the guy nearest him. Sure enough, it was enough to break the tension, as the burly man let out a furious roar and attempted to knock his mug over the dark stranger's head while his lackey's went straight for the thief. The others in the pub began to brawl as well, for seemingly gratuitous means.

The big man crashed to the ground with a loud thud, knocking over a chair in the process. He wasn't out of the game just yet though. While he slowly pushed his way back to his feet, the one lackey took the punch square to his jaws and promptly fell unconscious.

The area was a little too cramped for Blade to be swinging around a sword. Not to mention that it wasn't really worth killing any of these men. After dodging a sluggish punch he shifted forth to knee the other lackey in the gut. The guy went down without a groan and nothing more.

<> shot Astalder as he took wing. From what he was gathering, the pub was in chaos now. Sure his human friend could take on some of them with no problems, but in a situation as frenzied as that, it would be difficult to come out unscathed.

Now back onto his feet, the large man made a grab for the dark skinned one, wanting to make him pay for the tubby comment.

"No kidding," mumbled Blade, catching the dark skinned stranger's words. The brawl was getting out of hand, and if he stayed he'd likely take a good hit or so. Not to mention if he did stay, Astalder would probably come and tear the place down while trying to help him out.

Weaving through the drunken crowd as best as he could, the thief also did his best to try and avoid bringing attention to himself. That, of course didn't help him a whole lot when a few things were flying around the room at random.. one which clocked him in the side of the head.

"UGH!" he grunted while staggering to the side. Whatever had hit him, it sorta glanced past, but it was enough to mess with his sense for the time being. Clutching his head, he just barely made it to the door and out, just in time to see Astalder land not far away.

"It's alright.. it's alright.. he's with me..." Blade managed to get out while nursing his head still. It was unclear whether he was speaking to the stranger or the dragon, but it worked either way. Astalder, too rubbed his head in the location around where his bounded had been hit. He didn't seem all too happy with the new headache.

Checking his hand after some of the pain subsided, he saw his fingers stained with some of his own blood. Likely the mug or whatever had done enough to split some of his skin.

Looking back and forth between the two men, Astalder soon peered into the pub where it seemed that no one missed these two exiting. Everyone appeared to be too engaged into the brawl to really care in any case. With a sigh, he stared at the paler one rather critically.

"When I say be careful, I mean it. That could have gone a lot worse you know!"

"But it didn't.. calm down Astalder," replied the human before looking to the side at the dark one, "You're not so bad in a fight, thanks for standing up there."

"That may or may not be a good thing, seeing how not all of us are so receptive of humans," Astalder pointed out. So this was the dark skinned one that he was able to pick out of his bounded's thoughts while he was away. The man didn't seem as if he was from around here, so the dragon could see why there was the curiosity as to what brought him to this region.

"I'm Blade.. and this is Astalder," replied the thief while shaking Juran's hand. He kept his other hand against his head, which still ached fairly. More likely than not he would end up having a nice bruise where he got hit.

"What exactly is it that you're looking for? You don't seem like the type to be hanging around this sort of area."