"Wonder where I can get a stiff drink"

Emeric gently pushed against the stained wooden doors. The smell of liquor was pungent in the air. "Smells nostalgic", he said with a smile. His cloak kissed the wooden floors as he walked over to the main bar. He gave a quick glance back at the shadowy figures that were seated behind him and promptly turned back. "Barkeep, can I get a shot of your fourth stiffest drink?"

The barkeep thought for a moment, and then fixed him one quickly. A lime green drink with a lemon slice and sugar on the rim. The drink was pushed towards him with ease.

"Yayyy!"

Linnea bounced into the tavern, completely dressed in her dress robes. Her smile was huge, surrounded by her sandy blonde hair. Everyone around the tavern turned to look at her, wondering why a child was at the tavern, but didn't outrightly question it. Afterall there had been shadier characters that had come in. Like that Heros Shade person.

Lin took a seat at the bar, her legs dangling from the bar stool. Enthusiastically, she gave a grin to the bartender.

"Mister bartender can I have a beer?"

"I don't sell alcohol to kids....kid."

He said, continuing to wipe down glasses.

"HMPH!"

Her lips have a pout.

"Well...coconut juice then?"

"Coming right up.."

The barkeep went to the back of the unusual order.

"Lin-ne-a!"

Cecil rushed into the bar, worry written all over his face. He really hated it when Linnea pulled an escape tactic from the guild, especially with all the work that had to be done with it. Why was he even chasing her anyway?

"I told you, this place is for adults!"

He stood, panting, hands on his knees looking absolutely out of breath and exasperated at her.

"I am an adult!"

She said, turning to Cecil, smoothing down her headdress Why was Mr. Nightman even following her? She giggled and pointed at him playfully.

"Shouldn't you be worrying about yourself, Mister Nightman...?"

The bartender came back, looking flustered. How could he lose it...rather how could he not know his own bar where he couldn't find simple coconut juice. He looked under the bar tables. Linnea on the other hand took it upon herself to bother people next to her. With a bright grin, she said to Emeric..

"Hellooo!"

"Well, 'ello 'ello there miss! Looks like the sun came out to play; and what a better place than this dark and dreary one." He beamed a smile down at the girl, happy to at least have someone to talk to in this new town.

"What was that I heard you said 'bout wanting a beer? A few bubbles ain't hurt no one. Hell, my sister was 8 when she started drinking. And she was 8 1/2 when she won her first bar fight." He looked at the girl's curious face. "Barkeep, a beer for the lass! And don't be so stingy!" The barkeep gave a look of worriment, but knew the man's money was good. He slid Emeric a frothy golden glass filled ale made from the hops of Sunlit herself. The glass glowed a bit, strong with flavor.

"Here you go Miss, on me. Well, 'cept your one payment is to keep me company while I enjoy this Appletini." He clicked his green glass against hers. "Bottoms up."

Cecil snatched the glass from Emeric before Linnea could get her paws on it, a scowl on his face.

"Are you quite mad, sir?! Giving alcohol to a minor? In all my years... What kind of man are you, trying to intoxicate the Guild Mistress?!"

"Intoxicate? No, no, no. This is beer. B-E-E-R. It's good for the lass. Builds strong bones and what not", Emeric said with a confident face. "And this lass ain't no 'Guild Mistress'" he said mockingly. "Just look at 'er." He looked down at the at the girl's beaming face fluffed with golden hair. "She looks like she belongs lookin' at lions in a zoo." He smiled.

"Even if she is the Guild Mistress, I bet the young 'adult' miss can make her own decisions now can't ya?" He eyed the girl again, giving a grin.

"But what do I know?" He rebutted quickly. "I'm just some drunk in a bar dressed in green garb..." Emeric turned in his seat and sipped at his lime green drink.

"Y-Yeah, Cecil, I can make my own decisions!! And...I love lions.."

She remarked before snatching the beer from him. Linnea was definitely getting used to using Cecil's real name for once. Her hazel eyes looked at the drink in wonder...it was so fizzy. Linnea touched it with her finger, oh! It bubbled against the skin. She giggled and took a long sip...

"UGH!"

Her face turned sour, slamming the drink upon the bar. A pink tongue came from her mouth, spitting.

"It's disgusting!! B-But I drank it and it stings!!"

Sniffling, she hugged Cecil, hiding her face in his chest.

"It was icky Mister Nightman...very icky.."

Emeric gave an audible chuckle as he watched Linnea's face scrunch in distaste. "You be careful lass, that golden lion has a bite."

His voice got a bit more serious as he stared at the various colored brown bottles of liquor. "So it's true that The Academy has a young girl in charge. Damn the Devil if I ever knew how you got in that position, but it doesn't make the place any less respectable. It's got some of the strongest magic users in these parts, if I can toot your horn for a bit. As a matter-a-fact, I was just on my way there to apply. Funny, I'd meet the young lion-lovin' Linnea at a place like this", he ended on a lighter tone.

"Tsk, tsk..."

As his guildmistress squeezed him, he took the still full glass of beer from the poor girl, handing it back to the barkeep with a very noticeable glare.

"Listen to me next time, Lin.."

He then turned his attention towards the other guy in the room, with a similar glare.

"And you sir, should learn to treat your future guild leader with some more respect!"

"I'm sowwie.."

She said quietly in his chest and then pushed back a little to sit herself upright again. The bartender guiltily scooted her a glass of coconut juice. The daggers that were glared at him were definitely felt, but he had to admit...little Lin's reaction was amusing.

"Drink up, kid. Get that taste out your mouth if you don't like it."

"Okay.."

Lin sipped the drink cautiously careful if there were any 'bubblys' that would taste bad. There were none! Hurrah! She drank it quickly, the glass placed back down was already half gone.

"It's sweet!"