Xion swore aloud, turning many wrapped heads as he walked down the mildly cramped street. These people were smart to were veils and protect their faces, but the taste of sand wasn't so bad once you got used to it. Boris had somehow found a way to sleep in the back of Xion’s hood out of desperation to avoid the dirt devils that were being kicked up by a menacing wind. He almost had preferred it in that mess of a desert that he almost got lost in before arriving. At least the wind was not kicking up all hell out there. Out of pure desperation for a place to breathe, Xion spun into and open doorway and shook off all of the sand on his body before realizing where he was, a tavern.

Sighing loudly, he picked up Boris who immediately awoke, and walked over to the bar, where he sat down and ordered a whiskey. Perhaps he would meet some characters in this place. Some, entertainment.

Removing the wrappings from his head, he proceeded in wrapping them across his face, his eyes squinted trying their best to keep out sand and the blinding light of the sun that weighed down heavily upon him. Sweat gathered along his brow as his head was now unprotected, but it was vastly better than eating sand all the while. Suddenly a large gust of air ran along the length of the street and rushing past him, kicking his cape up wildly behind him, as well as kicking half the desert into his face. Closing his eyes tightly, he hoped to shield them from the onslaught, but had been caught by the first sands carried by the wind. Quickly he hustled towards one of the buildings and rushed into its savouring grasp not really carrying who's it was.

Slowly he removed the wrappings from his face and rolled them into a tight little roll in which he placed within his pack. Idly his right hand lifted to his face, wiping away all the dirt and sand that collected along his sweat beaten features. Dropping his arm back to his side, his metallic hues drifted through the building, recognizing it as a tavern. Shrugging his shoulders, he made his way towards the bar and took a seat along side the man with the owls. Stealing a few glances in the man's direction a soft smile gathered along his lips, as he found the man rather odd to bringing owls along to such a place, no less to have owls period.

Lightly he placed his hand upon the bar, turning his attention up to the bartender, “Get me something strong, I don't really care what. I need something to get rid of taste of sand...” The bartender laughed and gathered up his request, sliding the glass down his way, “There's a fierce winds ablowing, I wouldn't advise going out, but that's just me.” Catching the glass in his hand he brought it immediately to his lips and draining it of its contents before placing it back upon the bar with a satisfied exhale of air, “Another.”

The bartender scratched his head slightly and complied with the request as he sent another glass down his way. Again he caught the glass in his hand, but did nothing further with it this time around. Turning his attention back to the man on his left, he offered a few words, “You don't seem like you're from around these parts...What brings you here?”

((OOC: Xd. I forgot to add smileys into the PM to show my joking attitude, so I’m letting you know it here. Oh, and thanks for throwing up conversation. I usually get stuck with hardly anything at all to work with. And seeing as how your character seems to be the first to be somewhat comedic this may be quite good for Xion, who recently has had not but assassins and demonic people to talk to... :P Longer OOC then I had expected..)

Xion picked up his mug of whiskey just at the right time to have it dodge the large mug filled with some thick liquid that was quickly depleted by the man who had occupied the seat next to him, and then as he drunk some of the contents of the whiskey he was placing the mug down and had to quickly life it again as another mug full of liquid slid past. Boris had become fascinated with this sliding liquid, and without making a peep he hopped over to the mug that had slid and began pecking at the sides of it near the base, working his way around and investigating. "Well, you're right to say I’m not from here, I'm from the city of Balefire, and frankly I don’t even know what the heck brought me to this sand-covered hell-on-earth." Xion smiled to himself as he took another swig of the whiskey, which was stronger than normal, and perhaps a bit sweeter.

In all truth, Xion hadn't known what had brought him here. Frankly he was unprepared for the sand, which as far as Xion could tell was only good for identifying creased or sweaty areas. At first he had figured a craving for adventure had brought him here, a craving that he had often got before joining his guild. Perhaps it was the women, who danced about in their nearly transparent clothing to the sounds of an instrument Xion could only assume was an elongated flute. Hell, perhaps it was the liquor, which came stronger than thirteen men. Whatever the reason had been, he had long forgotten since that onslaught of invading sand which still felt as though it was everywhere in every crease imaginable.

One of the women that Xion had thought about was dancing on a small stage at the side of the room. She wore baggy. Purple and transparent clothing, with bright pink underclothes being flaunted about and managing to stay on her body, which was a wonder the way she was dancing and twisting herself to knots Xion could not imagine ever seeing done by a human. She had a bold nose, with dark skin and black hair, the same as most in these parts, and her sidekick was a small old man wearing an eye patch who appeared to be playing a sort of bard's stringed instrument, and he was singing in the thick and slurred language that Xion had been hearing much of in this area. He shivered as the girl stood on one hand, which was protruding from and elaborate knot of flesh, and quickly he turned, returning to his mug. Boris had managed to work his way to the top, and was contemplating tasting it before he duck his beak in and squawked loudly, shaking his head furiously as he flew to Xion and hid on the other shoulder away from the man. Still gagging and squawking.

Xion smiled at Boris before turning to the man, trying to block the images of the knotted girl behind him. "Seems powerful, Boris never even does that to my homemade whiskey. Tell me, are you from these parts?"

((OOC: Only about 600 something words. I can post longer, but I find that when I do post long topics with other people it always bores them, I find it easier when I'm alone to make them longer. I like to shorten them so that everyone gets what's going on without too much snore))

Watching the bird make its way across the bar and towards his glass, he simply cocked a brow in question. Silently he watched the bird idly peck at the glass, as he listened to the man talk of being from Balefire. As soon as the bird dipped its beak in the glass he frowned, but it was soon replaced by a big grin as the bird got its just desserts from drinking the kerosene like liquid. Though as soon as he remembered the creature stuck its worm infested beak in his drink, he simply stared down at it with a look of disgust on his face. Out of boredom he idly slid the glass around in a small circle, watching as the liquids rose high along the edge as it swhirled about in the cup.

Stopping the cup, he lifted it to his lips and took a drink not really caring about the fact that the owl had stuck its beak in the glass. Placing the glass back down he figured the liquid was strong enough where it could eat away any germs or anything of that sort. Turning his attention from the glass and up to the man, “Eh, it burns just how I like it. Anythings better than choking on sand all day.” Laughing lightly, he lifted the glass and took another drink before planting it back down upon the bartop, “No, I'm not from these parts, honestly I'm not even from these lands. Where I came from I'm no longer wanted...” Shrugging his shoulders, he brought his hands around the mug, “Which is fine by me, I wouldn't go back there even if I was paid. Speaking of which, they should pay people like us for even crossing that bloody desert. I'd rather go up against a fire god than go through that desert again, but I'm afraid I'll have to, there's no way in hell I'll stay in this giant dust bowl. To tell you the truth I'm not sure what's worse, the incredible heat of the desert or the threat of being burried alive by the sandstorm in town here.”

The bartender lifted a brow as Xavion spoke of being paid and chuckled lightly, “Why you do....Well, when you come here anyway. The first drink is always on the house, but you pay for the rest. As for the rest of the shops, eh...Lets say I can't tell you that for sure, but here you definitely get your moneys worth of quality beer.” Xavion scratched his head slightly, as he dared to ask the question that entered his mind, “Well, since the first is free what does my drink cost?” The bartender coughed as he started to talk in hopes of masking what he was about to say, “Six gold pieces.” Rising swiftly to his feet he planted both of his hands firmly upon the bartop, “That's robbery! You can't expect me to pay six bloody gold pieces for that drink.” The bartender laughed lightly at the man's anger, “Calm down, calm down. I'll cut you a break, we'll make it five.”

Xavion grew aggitated at the man's persistancy to overcharge him, “Tell you what, if you make it four I won't make such a big deal of this. Though, out of curiousity how much is his drink?” The bartender rubbed the back of his head nervously, “Considering his doesn't need so much to make, it's 3 coins. And I'm afraid I can't drop your price any further, sir.” Xavion sighed and hung his head in defeat, “Fine, you know what I don't care anymore, charge me whatever you want.” The bartender grinned maliciously as a thought popped into his head, “Ah well, in that case it's 12 coins. Plus I require a tip of 4 coins.” Xavion's eyes snapped up to the bartender and shook his head, “You're an evil bastard, I hope you realize that.” The bartender laughed heavily, as he turned to dig out another glass and filled it with a different concoction of liquids. Sliding it down to Xavion he nodded his head in his direction, “Don't worry, we'll make it four coins, so don't go blowing your gasket over it.” Xavion sighed and watched the glass slide to a stop in front of him, “It's about time, I heard of jacking prices for out of towners but that's ridiculous.”Turning his attention back from the bartender and to the man beside him, “So you're from Balefire so you mean you were born there or is that where you just came from?”

Xion frowned at the bartender’s prices, but inside he was thankful that he was not the one paying, being kicked out of a tavern in this weather would truly and deeply suck. Boris had finally stopped his hacking and coughing, and he rebelliously puffed up his chest feathers and waddled down Xion's arm to his own drink, basking in the glory that was a puffed up owl not 7 inches tall. Xion grabbed the lid off of a nearby olive jar and poured the last bit of his whiskey into it before shoving it towards the tiny gray owl, who at the time was posing himself as no less than an eagle. The poor little guy deserved to be a bit drunk after that taste of acid.

"I grew up in balefire, My cowardly father raised me in my grandfather's image, whereas my mother slept around for anyone who paid a decent price, but in any case I did grow up there, yes. Seeing as how we both must be setting out on the same over-sized beach, what say you have some company for the trip, whenever it may be. When one such as me finds himself alone one such as me tends to think too far into his past."

Xion signaled for one more whiskey and his request was received and filled as a tall mug came sliding towards him. "Hell, if we are going to walk through that place, we may as well do it hung over!" Xion said as he emptied half of the pint into his gullet. Interaction outside of fighting would be good for Xion, and perhaps keep him sane. Boris polished off the rest of his whiskey before puffing up his feathers once more and standing tall, whatever dignity he had lost with that thick liquid he was trying to regain by posing as though he were a noble.

Laughing lightly he was beginning to like this guy more and more. He didn't seem like the average around here, a person who was trying way too hard to be tough and strong. Taking another draught from his glass he placed it back now, nodding his head in response, “I see.” Was all he could manage to say to the man's story knowing no other way of how to respond.

Taking a few moments to think, he stared blankly down into his glass, “My father was the same, though he wanted me to be just like him. If I was like him, I wouldn't be alive now because I wouldn't be able to protect myself, just like he couldn't in his final hours. People can be so foolish.” Lifting his attention from the glass, he glanced over to owl on the bartop, cocking a brow in question. Xion truly was an odd man alright, but perhaps that is why he found him so interesting.

Idly again he slid the glass in a circle, watching as the liquid splashed this way and that in the glass, “I agree...When you find yourself alone, the mind tends to wander greatly for the better or for the worst well....That depends on your past. Mine, mine is truly a nightmare so perhaps a traveling companion may not be a bad thing. When do you intend to head out? I was thinking sometime after this horrid storm subsides. Maybe during the night as well so it's not so bloody hot.”

Laughing, he glanced over to Xion watching him drain half the glass, “There ya go, you finally have the spirit now.” Shifting his gaze from Xion he glanced over to the woman in the purple dancing, before breaking into a heavy laughter. Nudging the man with his elbow, he motioned towards the woman, “Maybe you'll get a chance with her.” Shaking his head at the thought he turned back to his glass, draining the rest of it before sliding the empty glass back to the bartender. Within a matter of seconds the same glass was slid down his direction, filled to the brim with the strong thick liquid, “Speaking of which, do you have someone special to come back home to yet?”

Xion tilted his head and thought about leaving in the night, which seemed a good enough idea, but he almost coughed up his fluids when he mentioned having a chance with the girl who was now bent in an angle that made Xion think she had broken her back, but just as quickly as she had taken up the position she went on her hands and tied herself into another knot. "If I managed to get that anywhere the trouble would merely rest in telling which limb is which with her tying herself in knots like that." Xion smiled at his own comment before pushing his glass away and waiting a few moments for it to slide back with a refill of whiskey, but to his surprise he received a pint of the thick liquid that the other man was drinking.

"Anyways, the women I have known have proven themselves less intelligent then the mug of whisky I just drank. I have a tendency to bring in the foolish ones. And not just the female fools. Fools tend to gather all around me." Xion exclaimed, shooting a glance at the man before smiling a bit wider and studying Boris who was now grooming.

"Perhaps traveling in the night would be smart."

Xavion laughed lightly at the man's remark, knowing very well that they would get along very well together. They had the wit to match each other and the smart-alick comments to match as well. Glancing over the woman again, a look of shock came across his face, as he tried to calculate the possibilities of such a thing. Coughing lightly, he turned his attention away quickly, “Man...Now if that isn't disturbing I don't know what is. I've seen my share of gross things but I think that takes the cake.”

Xavion took another heavy drink as he turned his attention back to Xion and the owl, listening to what the man had to say before nodding in understanding, “I hear ya. There was only one woman I could die for, but she was one of a kind, all the rest seem....Insignificant in comparrison to her. It's hard to find a woman you're willing to die for, but she was like a goddess, perfect in every way. Though, she was taken from me...” Sighing heavily, he turned his attention from the man and down to his drink knowing he'd said more than he intended. Bringing the glass to his lips, he drained the last of its contents before ushering for another. Upon the glasses arrival, he took another long drink, this time draining it halfway, before placing it back upon the bartop.

Studying his glass, he idly ran his index finger along the lip of the glass, lost in the depths of his own thoughts. There were many things he wished he could do again, to rewrite and make different, but alas no one had such abillities. Shaking his head slowly, his attention lifted from the glass and to the owl, “The night will be the best idea, my friend. If we're going to continue drinking, then your birds there will be our vigilant eyes. They can see better than either of us anyway, so if dangers lurks I'm sure they'll tell us, no?”

Xion smiled at the comment of the woman, and gave the man his peace as he reflected on his past. Xion was never sure he would ever have a woman to die for, he doubted it. "Well, Boris would tell me, sure enough, but Dorian would try and attack them while Alexis would fly about squawking madly. We have been through it once before now..." Xion gazed into space before grunting as he stood and wiping himself off.

"Polish off your drink, erm, friend, I am going to go talk prices." And with that Xion approached the bartender, and with a few growled words turned and headed back to the man. "I convinced the bartender to let us fly out of here free of charge. Another one of my quarked traits, but a much handier one." Xion snickered at himself as he pulled all the birds together in one bundle and rested them all on his shoulder.

"Whenever you're ready."

Xavion nodded in response to the man's words, as he finished off his drink, rising to a standing position. Taking a few steps from the bar, he glanced down at his clothes, sighing heavily, “That damned sand is everywhere, I mean look at me, I'm like the freaking abominable sandman for crying out loud.” Shaking his head he turned his attention up to Xion, blinking a few times. Unsure why he had even bothered with that, it's not like Xavion actually intended on paying the poor sap, especially after that whole incident with the prices. He hated people like that, people who constantly tried to take advantage of others to gain an edge in life.

Shaking off the thought, he turned towards the door, his metallic hues studying the conditions outside. It was still windy and the sand was beginning to mound itself in the doorway, seeing as the door frame acted as a shield to protect the ever growing mound from the drastic wings. Digging into his pack he pulled out his roll of cloth and unraveled it. Slowly he proceeded in wrapping it over his nose, mouth, and neck in hopes of sheilding those key areas from the onslaught of sand. His eyes however, they would be another story. There was no way of protecting them without hindering his sight, so he would just have to hope he could close his eyes in the nick of time otherwise he'd have to suffer the effects.

Nodding his head to Xion, he headed towards the door, pausing as he reached it, “Lets go.” With that he stepped out into the winds, feeling the grainy sand bounce across his bare arms. Idly waiting for Xion outside the tavern before continuing on.

((OOC: Shall we move this to the desert?))