Meseli had left that horrid bird and fiend filled place far behind as he could possibly do with his meager life. Cupped in his hands was the secret of his secrets. A terrible potion that sent him to the places only he knew to be. Two parts Absinthe, one part ground chrove heart, More than a part of apah and final dash of Sleeper lemon. It served to make utterly singular in thoughts. Revealing all the world to him in a blissful explosion.

The first sip was so painful it felt like fire filled his mouth. He had no sugar and the Absinthe with it's searing nature would make many a man gag from the overpowering taste. He could already feel it taking effect. With each breath the alley way became less and less needed.

The second sip nearly sent him into utter spams of coughing. colors swirled in his mind as a trashcan began to dance about on chicken legs finally settling down and having a family of cats.

the third sip and he corked the bottle. With a thud he landed against a wall as his feet began to move about on their own accord. Bleary eyed He crawled to a standing position and stumbled after them. His feet laughed and giggled like children as he lept into the street. As he landed upon them they sunk into his body and once more joined with his legs in a sigh.

Looking about Meseli could see he was no longer within Old Rose. All about him people pranced in the finest of shimmering clothes. Men in sparkling dresses and women in golden suits. He stood with a broad smile as his tattered clothes became fine linens of shimmering light and flowed about him as he began to dance in place taking the hand of a fine lady made of pure light.

He was a gentleman of the highest caliber here. Not some poor soul lost within his mind

Noe had taken her leave of the Black Dove not long before, patronless (she had lost interest in whoring; she had a better prospect lined up) and angry. Her ears were still a pinkish chocolate from the rum she's consumed, her innards swirling. I haven't drunk anything that strong in... years. Since I was back in Mugroba with the cousins. And I haven't had a meal all day.

She shook her head, trying to clear it from its fog, running a dry tongue over dry lips. She was on her break; she would return to the Black Dove a little later. She'd already skimmed some money off of her pot, just in case Mr. Inkeeperman decided he wanted more than just a 'ikkle bit' of her hard won tips. Her voice, which was used to singing arias and symphonic pieces was still adjusting to her life as a professional bard, and she didn't want to overtax it.

Kicking at a pebble, she floundered a little and leaned on a wall, looking down into an alley. There, the rivergod had decided in his perfect knowledge to place her 'friend' the crazy man in her current, and there he was dancing about all alone in the dark of the ill-lit street. With a dark growl, the little woman gathered up her intensity in one stride and launched herself, not into a physical attack but in an invective. Ah, the beauty of alcohol inspired, inhibitionless rage.

"You desema, how dare you even insinuate I'm a tumble! You don't know anything about me, mung face!" Her words were slightly slurred, and she found herself having to lean against the wall for balance. "maguala... better be glad you decided to listen to Lacey's order of Havakda..." She gritted her teeth, wondering why running had seemed like a good idea. "You ain't nothing to judge others. Nothing."

Meseli stopped as a new note sung it's way through the ball and threw his lustrous partner. The entire gallery paused as a figure stepped into the light. Though she did not glow with the light of one with a soul Meseli knew who it was.

"Ah lovely dirty dove!" He exclaimed as he spun towards her arms held high."Do you to seek a soul on this most audacious night?"

As he finished with a graceful bow he procured the bottle from which he had drank. More than half full in his eyes it shined brighter than the day.

"Three sips and you may dance with all that is unseen. Gods, monsters, lovers? I have it all within this flask." His voice was lilting in tone. "I can give you a soul with this simple potion.You would know all that you desire. Free of charge on this most auspicious and audacious of nights."

Noe spat on the ground, the universal insult that wormed it's way into all cultures. Shrugging her shoulders, she pushed his hand back, not spilling the drink but obviously getting it away from her.

"And be as crazy as you? Ne. At least have the self respect to hide your addictions. Vrunta! You're a moony." She was suddenly unsure why she had decided to come back here; so what if he'd called her a dirty canary? It meant nothing, really.

Noe rubbed her eyes again, suddenly desperate for fresh air. This alley was stupid and grimy, even without the idiot. "Dze, you keep your monsters and gods, I've better buisness that with a crazy like you."

She started to work her way forward, down the wall, but had to stop every couple of steps. I'm more drunk that I thought I was... she stopped, panting.

Meseli laughed at the insult.

"you swing away but find nothing! I am a true and proper person young canary! I am sullied and know the pains of harsh life. This 'addiction' as you put is no different than a dream for me. Within and without I still hold my soul in it's fragmented bits and corrupted shard with a hand as dirty as any pinion upon you." He exclaimed as he unstopped the bottle letting the licorice smell waft in the air. "Do you think any soul in the land of the living which you call Old moldy Rose is free of vice?"

Within his mind Noe looked as a flickering light. There was a soul to be had. But,she lacked the final touch. The shimmering phial held it he knew that much. Why would anyone turn it down though?

"Ma'ehau! Ne, ne! Get that stuff away from me!" Noe knew of addictions; she had many. She didn't care to add crazy as one of them. She leaned against the wall, world spinning in her eyes. I need to get out of here. I shouldn't be here, not at all. Stupid rum, making me all kinds of thoughtless. Need to get back... to the Black Dove... and she took a step, only to fall over.

"EEK!" She fell down to the rocky pavement, soft rear making a dull FWUM as it landed. Rubbing her face like a hingle cleaning its self, she glared up at the drugged-up wick, her sea colored eyes trying to focus properly. "Nah, lemme alone. I don't want none of your soul or feathers or drinks." I wish Lacey was here...

Meseli stopped. A frown on his face as he stoppered the pungent fluid.

"Fine then Dove. Be forever souless and lonely without the light of truth. Led on to think that whomever's bosom you find a home upon truly is with you." He said slowly as he waltzed away his steps perfectly time to the rhythm that flowed within his head. stepping lightly into the open streets he continued down the street drawing a few stares here and there.

Noe's fingers ran over old, old scars, deep wells of pain and memory, and she longed to reopen them. Soulless, eh? I had a soul like you... once. And it was killing me. Flashing in her eyes were knives and daggers and swords, fists and boots. Old memories that she had tried to forget about suddenly came back in her skin, and she recalled each blow, each cut with reverence. Her hand snaked over her abdomen, suddenly filled with that old forgotten need.

She shuddered, somewhere between disgust and delight at the old days, when she discovered that being the worlds doormat was luxuriant if you desired pain. Sighing, she made herself stand, and started working her way back to the Black Dove, hoping that a little water would get the mustiness out of her system.

"You keep your souls, friend, you'll need them when I'm sober enough to beat you for calling me soulless!" It didn't make sense, it really didn't, unless you still had the rum in hand. Dze, why is the rum always gone?

Viktor ran his hand through his hair as he left the Dove. It had been quite a long day. He had a longer night ahead of him. Ue would have to help him make the weapons needed for a crew of pirates. He had no delusions, that's what he'd gotten himself roped into. A lucky man who didn't end up down that path living in Old Rose.

As he stepped away from the insidious pub he heard the unmistakable sound of his moony acquaintance Meseli. Vik rolled his eyes and began to walk away when Noe stumbled out of the alley, seemed the rum had finally taken its full toll on the pretty singer.

"You alright love?" Vik asked. "Why are you messing around with the potion maker in your state?"

"Oh... hello." Noe swayed, a hand over her eyes. Vik was huge! Like a Chrove... but nicer. And less smelly. Trying to stand up straight, Now almost had herself under control... then she landed heavily on Vik, hands braced on his chest. Oh he was much nicer smelling than a Chrove. He smelled like man sweat and iron. It was delightful.

"I was getting some fresh air when I saw that desema in the alley acting like an idiot. My alcohol got away with me and... well, I ended up throwing a fit over what he called me earlier." She sighed, actually quite comfy leaning on Vik.

"Dze. I don't care. I'm accidentally drunk and useless for singing. Which means I am out of a job and a place for the night." She looked up at him, a smile forming on her lips. "Domea for catching me, I'm not used to such kindess. You're an alright balach." I am in no right state to be next to someone as attractive as he is right now... she leaned in closer and closed her eyes, hair falling in her face.

Vik smiled at Noe, he wasn't the type of guy to take advantage of a girl in her state. He didn't deny that inner male instinct to do exactly that but if there was one thing a life at the forge taught you it was discipline.

Sliding his large arm around her slim shoulders, Vik scooped her up in his arms and looked into her glassy eyes.

"My dear you need to get out of this night air. I've got a warm bed at Master Ue's just for you. I'll not be using it tonight, the forge calls and I must answer." He said softly in her ear.

I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to get to know each other on the ship, he thought to himself. He wasn't too strict on his inner male instincts.

Oh god he was strong, and his breath tickled her earlobe just so... It made her insides weak, and if she hadn't been quite so drunk she would have shivered. As it was, though, the alcohol was keeping her warm. I... am SO glad I went to the tavern tonight. Lacey, then Vik... even that loony can't ruin this for me.

"Mmmm, whatever you say." She snuggled into his chest, sleepiness catching up to her. His muscles were that perfect blend of hard and resilient that made him just right for nuzzling, and she did so, before slowly drifting off to sleep. "Fine upstanding man... you are... thank ya..."

The tough, fiery blacksmith melted a little when Noe nuzzled into him. It'd been a long time since he'd been this close to a woman. His nearly obsessive drive to prove his father's fears about him wrong had blocked nearly everything else out of his life.

"Don't you worry about it Noe, you're safe with me." Vik said to her. Besides, he'd be clocked if he was going to let this lovely girl stay at the Dove. He wouldn't wish that on his worst enemy.

As Vik started towards the docks and home he turned and looked back down the alley. "Good night to you Meseli, be safe while you're taking in your potion my friend."