Who

Divale, L'xan

What

Just a leisurely afternoon drinks with wingmates, who share similar views but rarely get along.

When

It is afternoon of the seventh day of the tenth month of the ninth turn of the 12th pass.

Where

Dustbowl Cantina, Igen Weyr

OOC Date 25 Dec 2016 11:00

 

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And I guess the stars just aligned for us on this particular afternoon


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Dustbowl Cantina

To enter the Dustbowl Cantina is to descend: the heart of the ancient tavern lies half underground, at the foot of ancient steps, insulated from summer heat and winter cold by the volcanic rock surrounding it. A windowless place well-lit by glows, it is homey, even cozy, with a certain bijou charm - but for the deep gouges worn in wooden table and solid stone, some clearly lingering evidence of boisterous brawling. The wall behind the well-polished bar, though, remains free from scars or graffiti, as does the door into the small kitchen, and the stairwell up into the owner's quarters: the barkeep and his staff reign, and they guard their territory well. After all, only a fool angers the source of the booze.


It may only be late afternoon, edging towards evening, but it's never too early for a drink, right? After a long day, a drink is certainly in order and while Divale's not usually one to indulge, she's making an exception. She's been up since the crack of dawn and been going steadily since and with no evening or night shift pulled this time, she's going to enjoy her "break". For however long it lasts. Dressed in clothes with a more androgynous to masculine cut, she's clearly off duty as she settles herself at one of the smaller tables after fetching her drink from the bar. Slouching a bit in her seat, she'll cut quite the 'relaxed' posture and image, though her thoughts are troubled and she remains unusually distracted of her surroundings.

L'xan is clearly a bit of a regular judging by the way he is greeted upon entrance, smiles and handshakes are exchanged as he makes his way to the bar, where he orders with a single wave of two fingers. Glass in hand he peruses the cosy cantina. Spotting a spare seat, and a wingmate he ambles over. "Mind if I sit with you Divale?" He asks properly, but judging by the way he's pulling that chair out already, he's probably just going to sit regardless of her answer.

Divale looks up the moment she catches nearby and approaching movement but it takes her a heartbeat or so more to focus enough to recognize L'xan. There's a smirk for the request but she'll flick her hand in a 'go ahead' gesture even though the bronzerider sits himself down regardless. "Don't mind," she murmurs, sitting up a little now that she has company. Her drink remains held between her hands and nestled in her lap, barely touched. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company this time?" she remarks dryly, "Or did you just happen to come by the cantina now?"

"I come here as often as duties…and other things allow." L'xan addresses that question first. "Even if it's just to top up my personal supply." Which given how often he gives it away is quite frequently. Sipping from his glass, he winks. "And I guess the stars just aligned for us on this particular afternoon." He's quite happy to avoid any mention of any previous times shared at the Cantina. "I'll assume you're at a bit of a loose end at the moment, with your friend away." He'll just get that out there on the table so-to-speak.

Divale smirks but it's in no way a negative thing and just her usual peculiar habit. She's not one to smile often and rarely grin, at least in a genuine fashion. "Seems so, hmm? And why the cantina, of all places? The social atmosphere?" There's emphasis to the last two words, a bit of teasing as she knows full well it's likely not the case. Her drink is still untouched but L'xan's question has her lifting it at last. "And I'm guessing you're happy that she's no longer going to be an issue here?" It comes off harsher than Divale intends, but she'll take a sip of her drink first before amending that. "Sorry. That was unfair," Glass lowered again, she'll shake her head. "I'll admit it's odd not to have her here but… it's not the first time."

"Definitely the social atmosphere." He agrees sardonically. "Nothing like it." Another sip is taken from his glass, the low level charm he usually operates on dulled by a slightly harder edge. "She's an idiot, but I don't have a problem with her." Any more. "Except for her exceptionally fine skill at finding trouble." A loose toast is offered as he shakes his head. "So she'll be back then?" He sounds thrilled to hear that.

Divale doesn't bristle (this time) for L'xan's opinion and simply nods her head a little in agreement and this time there's bemused note to her voice when she speaks. "She's very good at that but that skill can be useful in a way," she points out, levelling him with a bit of a look while a finger idly taps the side of her glass. She does not mimic the toast, but it does bring about a ghost of a smile. "We'll see. Did she ever explain why she was going? Or where, to you?"

L'xan nods. "She said something about finding her… family." And his brow sneaks up, because: "That will not end well." Is it a prediction or certainty? Who knows. "Given that skill that we were just toasting." His expression turns a little more serious for a moment as he lowers his voice. "In my experience, families who give away children are not always happy to see them back." He gives a look. "She may well need a friend when she does return."

"You and I see eye to eye on that, at least," Divale's mood has sobered again. "Not that I had the heart to say anything of the sort but I've my misgivings. Part of me hopes though, for her sake, it's not typical and perhaps she can find some happiness. She deserves it, given her… life. As it's been." Tilting her head for the seriousness in L'xan, she'll shuffle to the edge of her seat and lean forwards slightly. His look isn't missed and, oddly, she'll lower her gaze rather than meet it. "I know and I plan to be. I said I'd visit but I've not heard from her…" Which is worrisome in its own right but it's only been a few days. "She doesn't travel alone, you know. She has that companion of hers, the former guard? She may find comfort with him." Just ignore the hint of bitterness there; the kind only brought about by jealousy.

L'xan nods, sipping his drink thoughtfully before opening his mouth once more, the bitterness is ignored - possibly because the bronze-rider can be willfully ignorant about such things. "Lane? I know about him. Yes." And probably a little more than either girl now that he's had the chance to visit his home Hold and ask a few questions. "From all that I have heard, he has sufficient experience to keep her more or less in line." Of course NO, not even Lane has that ability~. "Perhaps we're both cynical arseholes and her family has welcomed her with open arms, and she's just too busy to contact you." Nope, that's not true either.

Willfully ignorant is a good thing in this case. Had he caught on and questioned Divale about it, their conversation would be going rapidly in not good directions. "You do? How?" Leave it to her, instead, to ask the difficult questions. She snorts and shoots him a skeptical look, that jealousy flickering briefly in her eyes but gone the next instant as she takes another sip of her drink. Nope, no body has that ability~ Not her, not Lane, not L'xan… She chuckles again, "Could be? I am a rather cynical bitch most days but… perhaps." Or they're in trouble. She's putting bets on trouble.

L'xan frowns, there isn't much liquid in his glass anymore. Sad. "You'd think after Selaine, I wouldn't be surprised, but apparently he's another person I grew up with." L'xan must have sucked as a kid, not recognising all these people. "Once that was established, it was easy enough to check on what he's been up to since I impressed." No real details, sorry Divale. He shrugs before looking up and catching the attention of the barkeep. Another order is placed and he finishes the glass he has. "It's most likely the perhaps." He agrees with resigned amusement.

He can order another, can't he? Divale's drink is still quite full and it's a wonder if she even likes drinking. "Selaine?" That draws her attention. "Greenrider?" Pregnant greenrider. That realization dawns but she wisely bites her tongue from adding that to her responses. "Then you can vouch that he's a decent person?" Which is Divale-speak for 'trustworthy'. She won't try to twist his arm either for more information… this time. "It'd still be good to hear from her. Longer it goes, more I worry. Won't be able to go there myself for a few days yet either." Duties first. See? She can prioritize!

L'xan busies himself with the arrival of his new drink, which he takes a sip from almost immediately. "Yes." His agreement and identification comes out as a possessive growl rather than a more socially acceptable single syllable he'd ordinarily use. "Decent, from a decent family. Perhaps too rule-bound. Which makes his association with the Fool more surprising. If they survive their little adventure…" He shakes his head, taking back that speculation before it gets too far. "Sometimes our duty and our heart pull us in two different directions. Or our perceptions of them do at least." This doesn't appear to be a comment on Divale at all, for all there is a bare glimmer of symapthy in them for her as well.

Divale quirks a brow at that possessive growl and treads a little cautiously with the rest of her tale. Normally she'd be all about tormenting the poor bronzerider but given she's trying not to antagonize him again, it's already proving a challenge. "Ran into her on patrol not long ago. Side street, acting like she was being followed. Didn't see anything or anyone but kept with her. Didn't think anyone would jump a rider but…" She shrugs. Never know? "Crossed paths with… Ypsilani? As well." She scoffs a bit, "Not hard to miss the rule-bound part. He and I have never seen eye to eye since he was in the Under— Kurkar Hold once. Right asshole, really. Convinced I was nothing but a criminal." Never mind that Divale does nothing to help mend that rift. She'll stare at L'xan this time, for the words he chooses and while it doesn't appear to sit well with her at all to start, she keeps her misgivings to herself. "Perhaps." Is her only comment on that as well.

L'xan does not look happy about that AT ALL. "The sidestreet? For what reason?" NOT HAPPY. "And thank you." Is given a little more graciously with the tip of his head, thank you for making sure she was safe. "There's rule-bound…and then there is rule-bound. I am bound by the spirit of the rule. Lane is bound by the letter." Or something, honestly he's on his second glass. While he isn't knocking them back they have enough effect to encourage him to whiskey-wisdom. "Ypsilani. You'd have liked her. Before." He resists the urge to start knocking back the drink at the mention of the dragonless woman.

"She was on her way to the Tea Room?" Divale supplies easily and without any hint of mirth or anything to make L'xan suspicious. She does notice how unhappy he looks though and now temptation is too much. "Didn't know she was pregnant, either. Might've spooked her initially when I crept up beside her and I apologized for that." Her head tilts then, brows furrowing. "I'm not sure if I understand the difference?" Or she cannot grasp a world so black and white. "Before…? Oh, yes." Awkward. While it hadn't come up in their conversation in the side street, Divale had her assumptions. Now they're confirmed. "You knew her too, then?"

The way L'xan settles in his seat looks suspiciously like squirming. Selaine and Ypsilani both have that effect on him. For very different reasons. "Then you'd understand my concern…Especially after I had already gifted her tea." You know that willful ignorance he practises? Guess who he practises it on the most? Yeah, the denial is strong. "That whole thing was sorted a little while ago, we have an understanding." That he is totally misunderstanding right now. "From what I was able to gather." Which admittedly wasn't much. "He would not have been as forgiving if he had been the one arresting your Fool." There is a shrug. "We were wingmates in Ista." His frown deepens. "I try to have her back…" Because he doesn't feel that he did when she lost her dragon.

Divale does notice his squirming and pretends not to by casually looking away and down to her drink, which she indulges in again. Maybe her mellowed mood is a result? There's a nod to show she does, in fact, understand but her mouth quirks up into a bemused smirk all the same. "The tea room has a social aspect to it too. Perhaps she was meeting someone there?" she suggests and gives him a focused look again but her tone is slightly puzzled. "You and Lane have an understanding…?" And then there's the rest and Divale inhales slowly, only to scoff. "No, he wouldn't." Not then, anyways. "Things change, however. His sudden… debt to her was unexpected but at least he is with her and she is not travelling alone." She's not bringing up the fact that she assaulted Lane or any of that nastiness between them. NOPE~ As for Ypsilani, Divale's expression turns grim but there's a note of sympathy there too. "It's good of you to try to support her…" she offers awkwardly in return. Just another concept she can't quite grasp fully yet or she can and it's just too much to even begin to think too closely on.

Its totally the drink that is to blame for the flash of jealousy that crosses his features. "Meeting someone, at the tearoom. At night." He'll just get some confirmation of that please. "No me and Selaine have an understanding of sorts." Jealousy gives way to a smug flicker of amusement. "The letter of the rule, rather than the spirit." L'xan agrees. "I haven't had the pleasure of spending much time with him in a personal capacity. But I look forward to seeing if your Fool has wrought further changes." No amount of experience or understanding makes Ypsilani easy, either in person or in discussion. "It's all I can do now. Haven't seen her for a while. If you come across her during patrol, I have a skin of the rum she prefers that you can pass along."

"It wasn't night? Close to it but there was some daylight left…" Some. Divale's opinion of "dangerous hours" can probably be taken with a grain of salt, however. She observes the jealousy with feigned detatched interest but inside she's practically grinning. This just gets better and better! Though his 'understanding' with Selaine seems to go right over her head (maybe she shouldn't drink?) but there's a bit of an amused smirk in return. "She seems pleasant," Read: A good person. Now? Now she's going to toy with L'xan a little and her lips curve into more of a faint, wry smirk. "You've good taste in women." Yep. It's exactly as it sounds, too! "You might be disappointed," About Lane. "He doesn't seem like a man who can change. Have no idea what the Fool sees in him." She almost makes a sharp comment about why he couldn't give the skin of rum himself but she refrains and nods her head in quiet agreement. "I can do that. Am I to tell her it's from you or…?"

L'xan takes a deep breath to deal with the lesser issues first. "I'll have to wait and see about Lane then." He manages to get out in clipped tones. "As for Ypsilani, she might mutter at you less if you don't tell her. But if she asks, of course tell her it's from me." Really he's just buying himself some thinking time. He'll also take another considered sip from his drink as well. There's a certain set to his shoulders that suggests Divale has scored at least a point. Possibly two. He even goes as far as to lurch to his feet…however before he opens his mouth his expression changes from glacial coldness to a sly, almost sensual smirk. "I have exceptional taste in women." He agrees with a low tone, based on personal recollection of the woman in question rather than the woman before him. "Shame she's not available isn't it?" He should probably go tell Selaine she isn't available before making such pronouncements. "I'd stick around for more of the social atmosphere, but I've suddenly got an itch I'd like scratched."

Divale has kept to her single drink this entire time and is only now working on finishing it. "I'll see to it then that she gets that skin of rum if I have another run in with her," It's bound to happen at some point. "And I'll keep it as an anonymous gift if I can." No guarantees there. While she has her faults, once she's come around a little, Divale isn't too awful or can at least behave herself. Just don't ever cross her, as Lane learned. Watching him lurch to his feet, she'll furrow her brows for a moment before her features slip into a shadow of a wry grin. "That I may have to see. We'll trade opinions, some day, hmm?" Now she's being just terrible with her humour but it may very well not be entirely in jest. It's not everyday she's blatantly open about her orientation, let alone actually comment on other women. "Mhm, it is a pity but I seem to have a knack for admiring the unavailable ones." Don't read too far into that, L'xan. She's no risk to Selaine… except for flights. There's a quiet and brief laugh and while Divale doesn't stand, she'll salute with a tip of her glass and drain the last of the drink in it. "I'm sure you do," Dry sarcasm. "Don't let me keep you, then. Clear skies, L'xan."

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