[b][color=f26522]"Not sticking around for a drink?"[/color][/b] Eden smiled in his sudden victory over the dragonbreed. His opponent had healed himself nicely, however the humiliation of being so quickly dispatched over the stares of the onlookers was certainly enough to break the spirit of any warrior. Besides, Eden seemed to take this grudge match like a joke, giving the momentarily incapacitated foe time to heal up as he disengaged to quaff his expensive elixir. Not the smartest thing to do when fighting someone of Garooda's evident abilities, but certainly enough to make Eden appear to be the superior of the two by controlling the focus of the very battle itself. Maybe he was a great tactician, or maybe it was just his charismatic persona that naturally made the spotlight shine upon him as he worked the crowd? [b][color=f26522]"Don't let the door hit you on the way out then, Garth or whatever your name was..."[/color][/b]

[i]Your friend... he is as handsome they say.[/i] 

This comment slightly concerned Eve. While the angelic girl was very polite, and evidently introduced herself formally, giving both first and last name. Something which Eden never really cared for, only first names. See the trick with last names was if there ever was a war of succession and Eden's lineage would somehow be able to ascend the throne, there may or may not be several women claiming to be bearing his child. That being said, Eden was usually luckily unlucky, somehow managing to avoid having baby issues with the number of girls he shared intimate moments with all these years. And if all else fails? Those poisons from Nero usually did the trick and avoided all sorts of bloodline troubles. A little something to make it less hospitable for birth without harming his lover, or detracting from their love-making.

Back to the matter at hand, or at least at mind, As Eve shook her head in response to Astrea, [b][color=ec008c]"Well Ms. Nioré, don't let his charm get the better of you. He's cute and very well end-, I mean- Off. Yes, Very well off, is what I mean to say obviously."[/color][/b] Subtle hints at the underlying desire that Eve had for Eden discussed with a girl who may or may not be the next object of Eden's attention? Oh she was slipping, but then again, as Eden proved, he wasn't just all about the ladies and a good time. Sure he was a cocky, arrogant, playboy, but at least he had the skills to back up his mouth. Even now as the dragon-breed submitted with a scowl at the ever-grinning Eden, Eve felt proud of her companion's victory, in public view now too. [b][color=ec008c]"At least he can back up his talk, most of the time anyways."[/color][/b] Eve sighed and looked up at Astrea before watching Eden pull the sword out of the table and claim his prize haughtily watching Garooda leave with his damaged pride. 

[b][color=f26522]"Settle up everything with the barman for me won't you Eve?"[/color][/b] Eden came back over the barside, reveling in his rather quick and decisive victory. There was at least two girls that he passed on the way back over who had a longing look in their eye. Yet, Eden dismissed them with a passing smile wading through the crowds who were moving back tables into proper positions after Eden proclaimed a round of drinks for everyone, courtesy of the Fotian Army. Of course, there was one girl who was on Eden's mind, as he extended his hand towards her and she curled tail around his wrist to inspect the heavy sack of gem he won. Surely enough to cover the drinks for everyone, and more as a generous tip for the serving gals and bartender. Although Eden had his own coffers upstairs, lying around as if this was the most secure place in the world. Although maybe it was given that there were two important people in one bar. Then without skipping a casanovan beat, Eden tucked Garooda's sword into his belt and gazed at Astrea with her coppery irises and soft pink lips with his boyish charm ever emanating from him. [b][color=f26522]"But first, why don't you introduce me to your new friend here?"[/color][/b]

[b][color=ec008c]"Eden... He could have seriously hurt you."[/color][/b] Here comes the chiding, the scolding and the general disapproval from a miniature dragon who was busy sorting out jewels from Eden's sack, not those kinds of jewels in that kind of sack. She was happy to help Eden count out his winnings, along with whatever rare administrative tasks he was somehow given and then delegated to her. The fairy dragon could hardly let Eden have such heavy responsibilities, someone had to keep him leashed and that someone as she saw was her. Not some girl he would eventually settle down with, that is if he ever settled down at all, and married to have kids that would probably never become princes or princesses in their own right as by that time both sides of Eden's family would have even greater lines of succession. [b][color=ec008c]"Mind your manners Eden, this is Ms. Nioré. Be nice to her, she was going to patch you up if the dragonman beat you to a pulp."[/color][/b] The drinks were flowing from the bar at this point, waitresses handing out drinks to everyone as Garooda's gems were being exchanged for frothy mugs.

[b][color=f26522]"Oh Relax, Eve, he was easy. All brawn, no brain until I broke him. I'm sure he'll be back for this sword though and a rematch."[/color][/b] His eyes never quite left Astrea's gaze though, as the royal blooded seemed to almost inspect the obvious Seraphim woman. A scent of chocolate, soft but present, like a lingering calling card which wafted between them in his study of her. Almost intoxicating, although most of the other waitresses had similar scents which varied from baking sugar cookies to lilac, Astrea's was the most prominent which tickled it way into Eden's nose. [b][color=f26522]"But I wouldn't mind taking a punch or two if it means I get to be healed by her..."[/color][/b] At this point Eve bit Eden's hand. Not that her teeth could tear into stone-hard skin, but it was symbolic of her disproval of his flirtation with someone so nice. [b][color=f26522]"I said Punch Eve, not bite."[/color][/b] Eden chuckled at his companion's attempts and picked her up to be set on his shoulder having finished her task with distributing the loot. [b][color=f26522]"So what do you say M'lady? Care to inspect me and check on all my functions?"[/color][/b] Eden, you know your horns are growing out of your temples right? They don't prevent anyone from slapping your cheeks. Then again, he was always this forward, and more important, if he was slapped, he could definitely have reason for her to give him a check up. Right?

But the lecherous flirting had to come to an abrupt end. It seemed a quaint and curious group of Nerons came into the bar. First the Fotians, now the Neros, surely this was a Vrondi bar right? Cautiously did Eden's hand find itself wrapping around the pommel of Garooda's memento. Nerons were often slippery and a group of them was bizarre to behold, especially above ground. Something was up, and bar was once again under the stress of being The Bar to go to today. Especially now as someone upstairs drew the spotlight on these strangers. Wait a moment, where did Eden see him before? Not the Nerons but the man from upstairs, they might have passed each other last night? No, certainly not, though he looked familiar. Eve might know, but her focus was on the Nerons. [b][color=ec008c]"Eden, I think we better leave, soon."[/color][/b]

[b][color=f26522]"And miss all the fun?"[/color][/b] Eden jutted his head over to the seated Nerons, now being approached by the more familiar stranger of the lot, making sure the bartender would get the message. Buy them a round of drinks, on Garooda's pay. After all, if they were assassins sent here to kill him by some weird politics, it would be much nicer to give them a drink before lopping of their heads. 


---

[color=440eb2]"Our Goals, Align..."[/color]
[color=440e82]"Perhaps you shall come to serve us..."[/color]
[color=440e62]"Or perhaps you believe, we shall come to serve you..."[/color]
[color=440e42]"We shall betray him, and so too will you betray us, as we would betray you..."[/color]
[color=440e22]"We need not your power, for we have his truth, which shall break the lies you weave before us..."[/color]
[color=440e02]"We are the masters, we are the servants, we are prophets of his perfection. Join us, for the Grey One seeks perfection..."[/color]

Perhaps the longest the entities had spoken yet. Speech no longer in fragments, as if each retained their composure and individuality for longer periods of time as they began to surround the Other. Six against One, but the odds seemed fair, for certainly these six were merely representatives of a force beyond them. Yet even they had some degree of autonomous power, despite being trapped within the confines of the book. They could not perform the deeds themselves, but certainly an unsuspecting fool can be used as their peon to further their ends. Slowly would they corrupt R'lyeh with their will, transforming him into one of them soon enough. And perhaps, even the King of Nero will fall under their swap. For the sake the kingdom after all, what will a man do? To find his weaknesses, his desires, his goals. Then, twist them to align with ones own before assimilating them into your ranks. Thus the book adds another volume in its wake. And the Grey One? Collects a new world.

[b][color=0054a6]"No... The Masters... They do not trust you..."[/color][/b] the Lassan stepped back, stumbling over an exposed root. He fell, and scrambled backwards, clutching the book in his hand while discarding the apple as his symbolic choice. They had been good to him, and they shall be the ones to grant him true sight. They whispered their sweet promises into his mind, their words weighing heavy upon the psyche. His devotion was not so easily broken by this Other. [b][color=0054a6]"They shall guide me through these woods!"[/color][/b]

[color=440eb2]"Yes, forward through the forest..."[/color]
[color=440e82]"Into the lands of light..."[/color]
[color=440e62]"Avoid the God-king..."[/color]
[color=440e42]"For he would destroy us..."[/color]
[color=440e22]"For we would destroy him..."[/color]
[color=440e02]"Bring us to him..."[/color]