The warmth of the ale settled pleasantly in Clive's stomach, a welcome contrast to the chill that had settled in his bones. Fenna's arrival had been a breath of fresh air, a much-needed distraction from the gnawing anxieties that had been plaguing him. Zell, bless his heart, had been trying his best to be supportive, but his attempts at lighthearted banter felt strained, like a poorly-played tune. Clive knew he was struggling too, the weight of their shared burden heavy on their shoulders but he truly appreciated his friends words.
"
Cheers, y'all," Clive said, clinking his mug against Fenna's "
To good company, and to facing adver-city? That's how it's called ain't it? Ah hell cheers." the farmer shook his weary head and laughed, the weight of his troubles settling back on his shoulders somewhat but not as much in the present company. They drank and laughed, talked about the days past and now sharing their time together over a drink it reminded him of a home he had far away but now here was home...
'Maybe...Maybe it ain't so bad.' the southerner thought to himself, downing the frothy liquid in his drink he set the dirty mug on the table with a gulp, stifling a slight bit of a belch behind his fist
'Maybe it ain't all that rough going...' he thought looking at Zell cheerfully cavorting with the grumpy bartender and other patrons who seemed to be having none of it then Fenna, his gaze lingered for a second remembering fighting side-by-side with her to save the people all the way back when it began in that town they woke up in...The child they both saved...She was quite something, she was truly a good woman he admired her spirit to say the least...
Zell's boisterous return, however, brought a much-needed dose of levity especially to the southerner who tried to play off his staring as nothing but the drink making him see double. He deposited three mugs of beer and three small glasses filled with a dark, viscous liquid on the table the stuff in the glass was called, "Manticore Spit," and Zell explained as much, telling them that he got chatting to a table while waiting for the beers and they recommended it as something that will - quote - 'blow your fucking head off.' and in the case of Zelll it certainly looked as though it almost did.
Clive couldn't help but chuckle, the absurdity of the situation momentarily lifting the weight of his worries. "
Well, now, Zell," he said, shaking his head, "
Maybe you should have gone for the beer, partner. But hey, at least it's an experience, right?" he took the shot glass in his hand raised it to Fenna with a smile "
Well, here goes! Over the lips, through the gums, look out stomach, here it comes!" oh, it was a foul concoction to say the least like what them folks in Russia drink cept' worse, Clive's face contorted to a pained grimace pounding a fist against his chest and coughing "
Hoo-boy..I-I'm gonna be feelin that tommorow." after a fit of coughing and white-knuckling he wheezed out those words to the lightly smiling face of Fenna as she watched them both down the foul liquid.
"
Well there little lady, is that pretty little face o' yours gonna smile or-" Clive's voice was hoarse from the alcohol but still had that same charm he usually had if not a little forced sliding the last glass towards the ranger with a little smirk on his now rosey freckled face "
How's about them lips of yours taste this, cause I sure as heck ain't gonna have another."