jigokulogs | ( open ) you doing anything to keep her by your side

Do I seem like that type of guy...? [ whatever barton thinks the implications that might be, it's a question asked in sincerity.

his brows lift; all right, considering how opulent some of jigoku's bars seemed, he wonders if that means they're just not to eula's specific tastes, or her homeland is that generous in regards to the bar scene. he'll probably ask, but for now he cracks a broad grin. ]

Aha, to our promotions! And your success in getting that license...!

[ unless eula has more to add - he likewise raises his mug for a cheers. ]

[ the clinking of glasses commence, and... he sure knows how to liven the scene. she doesn't hate it, and she has nothing to add without being redundant so: ]

Cheers.

[ she can hide her already small smile behind the glass that she's drinking from right now, and... yeah, by the time she sets it down, it's already more than halfway empty. jeez. ]

And yes, you do look like the type. But first impressions don't always last, so you need not worry about it.

Edited 2022-07-13 16:22 (UTC)

[ clack! and jeez is righto... barton's not sure if he's expected that he should keep up or not, but he does drink about a third of his mug. like the beach's variety, he can't deny that it tastes much, much better than the swill illumina manufacture - in fact, if someone told him this wasn't beer, he'd probably believe it. ]

There's a reason I'm not in Shuten...

[ remarked offhandedly. ]

The bars really that good where you're from?

[ a small scoff. ] Just because we're in the Department doesn't mean that we aren't allowed to drink and be merry any more than the other factions. In fact, I think all of us from there deserve to go out like this sometime.

[ it's so sad and stifling being there lately, but that doesn't mean they can't find their own fun. like right now.

the small platters of edamame arrive, and she nibbles at them while she addresses his other question. ]

Mondstadt has a flourishing wine trade and industry. Taverns like these are commonplace, and you're bound to come across drunkards as early as nine o'clock in the morning. [ that's just how it is in fantasy germany... ] Is this your first time at one?

I'm not disagreeing... People need a way blow off steam once in a while! Sometimes. [ one would think he's an ascetic, says the man who challenges anyone that makes eye contact to a fight. ] Otherwise, they'll burn out!

[ he takes an edamame, too, then drinks more of his beer. for as many flaws and failures he can point to in jigokucho, the food wouldn't be one. ]

Nine?? [ echoed with exasperation, he sits up a little straighter -- he's going to hold his tongue on what he thinks of that. ] At one like this here, sure. I've been to some in Umbraton, mostly for some diplomatic reasons or some crap.

[ eula doesn't blink at barton's overreaction, choosing to drain her glass of beer instead and order another one. it's drink-all-you-can, it's fine, he doesn't have to match her speed or tolerance if he's not in the mood to do so. ]

You mentioned that place before. Umbraton. [ that's what he described the goons during the haniwa raid, right? ] Was it that bad over there?

[ hmm. barton appears to ponder that. it's one thing when you're bitching to coworkers about a place they've also seen, it's another to smear it to someone completely unfamiliar to the place. ]

[ well, whatever. for that reason, it doesn't matter, right? ]

[ after taking another sip of his beer, he laughs, pretty openly. ] Yeah, it's a crime-ridden cesspit! Compared to this place, though, it's somehow more functional. For instance, there isn't an [ ... how to say this: ] ineffective Department trying to whip the place into something it's evolved past. Still a money-hungry shithole, though.

[ eula raises his brow at him. can he say that out loud? they may be at neutral territory but...

she gives the interior of the tavern a cursory scan for a hot second. each table for the most part is minding their own business, too busy whooping it up and yelling orders for them to be noticed. and she hasn't spotted anyone from the department who might be here to overhear their grievances, so—

the second glass of beer arrive, along with the yakitori. she'll take a sip of that first. ]

It is a lost cause. But if the Department is abolished completely, the entire realm will be sent into utter chaos. The low morale surrounding us lately is only making matters worse.

But it's all right. If anything, I should be thankful that I'm here. For it'll be easier to have my vengeance on the Enma himself.

[ what the fuck

although with the way she's taking another huge swig of her beer after that bombshell, one can easily chalk that up to mindless chatter of an soon-to-be drunk. right...? ]

[ thankfully, there is a general hubbub of pleasant noise, and they have yet to attract too much attention to themselves, thanks in part to their non-uniformed garb. barton listens, and then it's really really hard not to spit his drink with laughter. he claps a hand to the surface of the table - that's the spirit. ]

Ohh? I think the guy's holding back... He may have the charisma of wet cardboard, but I think he's a nice guy.

[ it's about as simultaneously insulting - and yet hopeful, that the enma could really bring down the hammer of the law, should he be provoked into it - as one can manage when calling someone "nice." leaning back in his seat more casually this time, he finishes off his beverage. ]

You know, I'm still curious as to what all this vengeance is gonna look like - I'd like to see that showdown.

[ he really held back on her, huh

but whatever, she's going to roll her eyes at that. ] Too nice for his own good. He thinks staying mum about more important matters and leaving us to fend for ourselves from the media is a good idea for both parties. Hmph, I'll show him a better one.

[ god

she really is frustrated, though. with the alcohol settling in her system, she sets her half-empty glass down and places an elbow on the tabletop, planting her chin on her palm as she blearily stares at her drinking partner. ]

You're going to have to wait your turn. This world alone warrants a much longer list—but if you make me angry I'll gladly show it to you.

[ she's being petulant at this point. her threats are actually ineffective for the most part, but no one here really knows that. ]

[ for that reason, he does think eula a Tiny Bit Scary(tm), despite all the lofty talk of vengeance having yet to lead to - as far as as he knows - any truly, bloody incidents... barton doesn't really want to skip that mentioned line, even if it is tempting to prod the bear just to see if he could take it. he flags down their server for another drink, eyebrows raised almost inquisitively as she explains. ]

[ so he does chuckle at her assurance, just a little bit. it's probably the pleasant buzz. ]

Is that right? Here I thought I'd already ticked you off a few times. [ musingly. ] Giving you a few driving lessons hadn't really been so punishing, you know.

[ the fact that she still strikes fear in him somehow will delight her somewhat. but seriously, what did he mean by that? ]

Oh, you have. Plenty of times already. [ her smile comes and goes just as quickly. ] So you wanted a more severe punishment for last time? You should have said so before you'd let me choose.

[ maybe forcing him to grovel for being an idiot at the beach would be punishment enough. but now that she thinks about it, as she takes a bite of yakitori, ]

Perhaps I could have forced you to take swimming lessons instead?

[ what the - oh, lord. barton takes a longer drought of his beer, nearing to catching up with eula (and also buying his brain some time to reflect on that proposition, cover up any immediate grimace the suggestion may have brought). she's right though; she's hit the nail on the head in terms of just about as challenging as it could get. ]

I'm -

[ he huffs, putting his mug down, and glaring in a determined look. ]

Aah, you don't think I'd actually gonna say no to that, do you...?

[ haha, gottem. it's her turn to lean back against her seat with a slight smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. ]

Well, are you?

[ it's just a few backstrokes, it's not going to kill him.

...is it? ]

Of course not!!

[ wow, he's fired up... and kinda noisy; a few fellow bar patrons glance their way. biting back any embarrassment at announcing this, he taps his mug against the table in a way that's supposed to be meaningful or something. ]

I'm aware it's a stupid skill not to have... [ especially for like. a dude that's supposed to lead on boats. ] I'm gonna conquer it!

[ wow, isn't he loud. he's clearly hiding something if he's trying to brush it off with his own bravado. eula orders another glass while she's at it. ]

Of course you will. Since you sound that excited, I shall sign you up to a swimming course first thing tomorrow. I might even find it in me to help you.

[ she's joking, clearly. ]

[ the joking tone helps. running a hand through his hair, barton then folds his arms over his chest. ]

Ah! Back home, you'd have a lotta guts, poking fun at a commander.

[ he's not there, though, is he. he's aware. it may not be the most graceful of attempted topic shifts, but he'd rather it than this one -- ]

But you're supposed to be a scout back home or something, right?

[ luckily, she doesn't notice the clumsy topic change with how inebriated she's starting to become. she huffs out a short laugh. ]

Not just a scout. Captain of the Knights of Favonius' Reconnaissance Company.

And you, for the record, are not the boss of me. I'm free to say whatever I want.

[ saying that as her third glass arrives, taking another sip from it... uh oh. ]

Oh?? This is news.

[ welcome to his own dose of dry humor, eula. while he doesn't bother to try to peruse the menu this time, included in their all-you-can drink special or not - barton proceeds to order a shot of rum for himself. seems like he's gotten bored of beer... ]

[ while he doesn't uncross his arms, he does look a touch more amused. ]

So you're a Captain and a Knight--? No clue how knightly rankings work, that sounds pretty old-fashioned. [ a tipsy explanation, please. ]

[ does she have to explain knight titles of all things while she's on her way to getting drunk?? barton???

but it's. whatever. fine! fine, she'll do it. drunk history, let's fucking go. ]

Knight Captains serve under the Grand Master of the Ordo Favonius. But despite us being called the Knights, none of us were knighted by any royalty since we've gone away with a form of government as per the Anemo Archon's request and it is more of a title we earned from the noble duties we assume...

[ is that right? yeah, sounds about right. ]

Edited 2022-07-14 14:21 (UTC)

[ yeah! fuck em royals! and his grin probably said as much, even if it's only brief before barton pounds his shot back. he stares at her a moment, listening, even if the finer points of those titles are lost on him with being a few beers deep. ]

[ he sounds incredulous, ]

Noble duties? Really? You do more than scoff and spit on peasants.

[ huh??? where did the sudden hostility come from? no, maybe she explained it wrong— ]

Don't jump to conclusions. The Knights of Favonius was established after the aristocracy was overthrown, in the hopes that they'll never have to go through such dark times with the Lawrence clan. When I said noble duties I meant our obligations as knights, you dolt.

[ but why is she getting so heated too... perhaps it's the mention of her family name that she hasn't uttered a word to after all this time. ]

[ it's barton's turn to scoff. he leans back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his head. trying to absorb as much as he can, particularly names (he can't try to feign sobriety in that instance), is a tall ask. but the lawrence clan, huh? sounds like bad news. ]

You offended by that—?

[ at least she's made it more than evident that her heatedness is due to confusing her duties with that of nobility; that's plenty to be insulted over. he taps his empty shot glass against the table. ]

Good! Most of 'em are all real pieces of work.

[ a hollow pit starts to form at the bottom of eula's stomach when barton puts it like that. the slip of the tongue regarding the lawrence clan is a huge blunder on her part, but it's too late to turn back — like how she's already been disowned by the clan itself, really. it doesn't matter what he thinks of the nobility in general, right? she agrees with the sentiment, in fact.

and yet curiosity gets the better of her, as she rests her cheek on the palm of her hand and tries her very best to focus her gaze on him. ]

Didn't think you have such strong feelings towards the aristocracy too.

Edited 2022-07-14 17:43 (UTC)

Oh, yeah!

[ -- but certainly not as personally intense as any that eula may harbor, unbeknownst to barton. he lifts two fingers this time to hail for two shots. the topic is something he's enthusiastic to allegedly agree on, what with the askew grin and how his voice has lifted in volume. ]

There's this city - Lumopolis. Full 'a buncha nobles that talk 'bout the purity of bloodlines, crap like that... [ he waves a hand. ] Ah, it's 'bout high time they're knocked off their high horse. If if it were up to me, we'd have steamrolled 'em by now!

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