Chapter 2: Old Friends99Please respect copyright.PENANAkPKe0Z4MDF
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The evening wore on and just after eight-o-clock a few guests had begun to leave with 'thanks' and 'congratulations' being paid again upon their departing. By nine-o-clock, anyone leaving for their home were on their way. This included Nate and Sophia but they were actually on their way for some filling food and drink. Their escort let them out, after receiving payment from Nate, at a pub called Rusty Girl. "This place has a weird name." Sophia commented as she stepped closer at Nate's side.99Please respect copyright.PENANASQPR8ctInN
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"It's a nice place with a unique story behind its name."99Please respect copyright.PENANAi4x6ksQ4If
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"It does?" she asked as he opened and held the door for her.99Please respect copyright.PENANAm9Xv6Li1DO
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Nate nodded before following her inside the beautiful wood interior. "The founder of it named the building after a strange one night stand he had after barhopping in Azumara." This caused Sophia's face to twist in a mix of confusion and disgust. "What?" he asked while pulling out then pushing in a chair at a table after Sophia sat. "It's not his fault the elf smelled like rust when they made out." He stated while taking his own seat across from her.99Please respect copyright.PENANAhaDMoVYWw2
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"You know some weird people."99Please respect copyright.PENANAR5mZDezJ9D
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"I know," he said with pride while blowing on then polishing his nails on his shirt. "It comes with the territory of being a croen."99Please respect copyright.PENANA7OvBXvhNSi
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Sophia felt herself smirk and shook her head. Men never change when they think they are getting an ego stroking. "I love you."99Please respect copyright.PENANAubI6T29OlX
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"I love you too."99Please respect copyright.PENANAcfdAxehszJ
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A throat cleared which drew both their attentions to the waitress standing with a pad of paper at the ready. "Good evenin'! I'll be Mirsel your waitress so what will you both be havin'?"99Please respect copyright.PENANADVy8bTT3KW
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"What are the specials if there are any still going on?" Sophia inquired politely.99Please respect copyright.PENANARhd3BMrhvW
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"We got a veggie and meat stew or we have a mushroom sauce filled hamburger with a side of your choice of fries. As for drinks, shots are five relu each and full drinks are fifteen relu, then if you want a pitcher of alcohol then that will cost you fifty relu."99Please respect copyright.PENANAnEDvDW5E7X
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Sophia thought it over while regarding their finances. "Hmm...I think I will have the stew and a glass of water."99Please respect copyright.PENANAA5o3tA1RkD
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Mirsel nodded and wrote down Sophia's order before looking to Nate. "I'll have the hamburger and an order of curly fries with a glass of whiskey." She nodded and took it down.99Please respect copyright.PENANAUgkZVxZFNc
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"Got it! Give it a few minutes and I'll bring it right out!" she said pleased before taking her leave and turned in the order to the kitchen.99Please respect copyright.PENANAYxju1UQQNs
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Sophia looked around and took in the hanging lighting lit by both natural flames and magically created firelight. "I think we should head home after we're done, that way we can get back in time." Nate nodded absent mindedly while looking at a few of the other customers. "Are you looking for someone particular?"99Please respect copyright.PENANATzku9K0Q8X
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"Not really, just looking." He turned his attention back to her. "Jealous?" he questioned with a bit of smugness to his voice.99Please respect copyright.PENANAkfCf42V1iC
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"No," she said with some defense. "I just wanted to make sure you weren't creeping out any of the other customers by you staring at them like that."99Please respect copyright.PENANAAD1XHcUaEe
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Nate rolled his eyes lightly. "Honey, they are demons. They don't care if anyone stares."99Please respect copyright.PENANAn3xja12aY3
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"You care when anyone stares at you when you've transformed."99Please respect copyright.PENANAcDwgctel8j
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"Hey! That's different!" he snapped in defense before lowering his voice to almost mutter his last words while crossing his arms and slouching in his chair. "You know how self conscious I am during mulching season when I switch."99Please respect copyright.PENANAj4bWPAZgtI
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Sophia lightly laughed before reaching out and taking one of his hands into hers. "I know and I love you, even if you go prematurely bald, hehe."99Please respect copyright.PENANAGx7Vg3ulKD
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He smiled and lightened up some when seeing her smiling face. "Thanks but acting cute doesn't make the reminder any less self conscious."99Please respect copyright.PENANA12LhbRW2La
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The couple shared more small talk and after fifteen to twenty minutes had passed, their order arrived steaming hot with their drinks being nice and cold. "Here you are!" she set the meals down, "if either of you needs anything, just ask."99Please respect copyright.PENANAtpSe9VCIr1
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"Thank you!" they answered together and Mirsel took her leave.99Please respect copyright.PENANABAsX9zNF8n
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Sophia closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. "It smells so good~" she said pleased while exhaling. Nate nodded while taking a bite of his sandwich.99Please respect copyright.PENANA8Az2hquIvB
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"Tastes great to!" he added after swallowing. Sophia took a bite of stew and nodded in agreement with a satisfied groan.99Please respect copyright.PENANA3aKRta1Xw5
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Minutes passed quietly as they were almost finished as a new group entered the pub. A young man looking to be in his thirties spotted Nate and approached, slamming a hand on his shoulder. "Hey!" he said vociferously which caused Nate to jump. "If it isn't Nate, how are ya?"99Please respect copyright.PENANAwNsJIvNX4N
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Nate shrugged him off after regaining his composure. "Hey there, Jyn." He turned his head to meet Jyn's eyes. "I'm good, you?"99Please respect copyright.PENANA38nKGoVzOB
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"Great and I'm hoping you are up for a rematch."99Please respect copyright.PENANAXmRM0sH0f1
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Rematch? Sophia thought, "Nate," she said with a warning tone.99Please respect copyright.PENANAPX6GSyi4ct
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"It's fine Soph." He assured before finishing the rest of his sandwich and stood, washing it down with the rest of his drink. Sophia gave him a stern look even as he followed the group to the bar. "Trust me, this won't take long."99Please respect copyright.PENANAdNfbL0iJuf
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Sophia sighed while taking a curly fry off his plate, dipped it in her stew then popped it in her mouth. I guess those fact's about men being mature by twenty-three isn't universal. She took another curly fry and dipped it into the remaining stew. Hmm surprisingly tasty together. She popped it in her mouth and started to watch the starting competition.99Please respect copyright.PENANAr5iDnhXKU0
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At the bar, Nate sat beside Jyn with Jyn having his support group behind him. "Barkeeper!" he slammed his opened hand against the counter. "Two shot glasses and your best whiskey!" he looked to Nate as the keep brought what was requested. "Ready to lose? I've increased my tolerance since last time." He beamed with confidence.99Please respect copyright.PENANADccVydOY6D
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"So you mean you've got a stronger stomach?" he taunted.99Please respect copyright.PENANAtsb2GEeQCn
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"This is the night you lose, filthy croen." Jyn poured them each a shot and slid the glass to Nate. "First one to lose it or fall over loses."99Please respect copyright.PENANAtNAU7jFg7V
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Nate picked up the shot. "Sounds good, bullhead."99Please respect copyright.PENANAb66p0EFOAz
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"Ready? Drink!" a female companion of Jyn shouted enthusiastically. Both downed the shot easy and another glass was poured which repeated this routine.99Please respect copyright.PENANAGiqFJPpwv9
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A second, third, fourth, and a fifth shot was finished within a span of ten minutes with a swaying Jyn and slightly looking affected Nate. "You wanna quit?" he asked coolly. "You did actually manage to go more than four glasses."99Please respect copyright.PENANA332jZeHsA6
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"No!" Jyn snapped with slurred speech as he clumsily picked up the bottle and proceeded to pour a sixth shot for both, resulting in the counter becoming wet with spilled alcohol. "You're going to go down!" he hiccuped and picked up the glass and downed it fast. Nate shortly after downed his sixth and set his glass down easy while Jyn slammed his down roughly.99Please respect copyright.PENANAGClNEOgWiB
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"If you say so." He shrugged and poured them a seventh shot. "Cheers," he downed the drink in a blink. Jyn was sluggish but downed it and slumped onto the counter as he brought his glass down. "And it looks like I won." He started to stand as Jyn stumbled to his feet with one bull horn coming through his messy dark hair.99Please respect copyright.PENANAb4csjlKBS2
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"Awe nah, you didn't win...you," he hiccuped as he set his glaring and blurring sight on Nate. "You cheating croen." He growled while moving and pressing his chest into Nate.99Please respect copyright.PENANAnzxzBCDrcQ
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Nate pushed him back and watched Jyn stumble over the leg of the barstool before falling into the arms of his two female companions. "Best you take a seat and get a nap. Your drunkard is showing."99Please respect copyright.PENANAXLCZG21ET4
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"Why you..." he growled as he was pushed forwards and threw a right hook. Nate ducked, slipped back, grabbed a barstool that he spun around then angled, and shoved the back of into Jyn's stomach. Jyn grunted as he fell back with a clatter from the other stools before he found the floor the hard way. Nate stood with a sigh and set the seat back to its spot.99Please respect copyright.PENANAJNDAkrIpdS
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"Nate," Sophia began while standing. "I think it's time we pay and go."99Please respect copyright.PENANAEm2qUILlxl
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He looked at the Jyn who now had a second bull horn showing along with skin drooped from his nose like a metal ring. "Maybe you're right," he looked at the displeased barkeeper. "How much do I owe?"99Please respect copyright.PENANAFdQaGOqPQK
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"Three-hundred relu."99Please respect copyright.PENANA1UN2bn0Mtj
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Nate's jaw dropped before closing as he prepared to yell about the high price. "Just pay him." Sophia ordered while folding her arms. "You got into that drinking game and caused damage. So, pay him and let's be off."99Please respect copyright.PENANALVVcOukAMi
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"Yes dear," he sighed while getting out his money pouch and began counting before handing over the coins.99Please respect copyright.PENANAj954sBlfH5
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A man there, the fourth in the bull demon's group, snickered and let his human facade drop some to show a few of his bore features, such as his tusks. "Hehe yea, listen to your little human." He snorted with stifled laughter that tried to slip out.99Please respect copyright.PENANAFX8yflHNxq
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One of the two girls giggled as feline features began to appear. "Yea!" she agreed with enthusiasm as her tan tail swished happily. "It's so funny how the mighty demon race filled with so much pride has been whipped by a wittle human." She mocked with the crinkling of her nose at the end before another sharp giggle was released.99Please respect copyright.PENANA5CNszrXwOx
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Nate tightened his jaw but held his tongue as he forced his legs to start for the door with Sophia. "Get going back to your human brothel on that weak, peace loving chunk of rock you call an island." The room went quiet as Nate stopped dead in his tracks with Sophia a step ahead with her hand on his arm. She tugged to pull him along but he turned sharply on his heel with his hands curling into tightly balled fists. He made his way over to the bore demon with his head slightly angled so his bangs shadowed his eyes. The bore snorted and puffed out his chest. "Aw is the little croen mad?" he mocked.99Please respect copyright.PENANANr1kellsJs
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"No," he replied eerily calm.99Please respect copyright.PENANAYMsVuOCtL3
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Customers paid for their meals, leaving the money on the tables as they swiftly moved past Sophia and out the door. "Honey, just leave it be and walk away." She urged with growing concern and an uncomfortable feeling twisting in her gut.99Please respect copyright.PENANAAvpjrwMvTL
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The bore grinned with an expression fitting one who expected another to admit they were right. Nate looked up while his fist began making its move. "I'm furious!" he bellowed while landing a strong right punch square in the bore demon's face. He moved after the bore as the man fell back into a table with a loud crash. The feline demon rushed over and spun to land a roundhouse kick into Nate's side, throwing him into the front of the bar. She bared her fangs with a hiss at the croen demon who was now getting small black speckles of feathers along his arms, along with his nails sharpening into points as they grew.99Please respect copyright.PENANABHGTdv6D5t
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Briskly he pushed away from the counter and threw a left punch at the feline who quickly dodged while stepping back. He shifted to get his foot behind her legs to trip her but was thrown back by her sharp claws to his face, done almost the same moment she lept into the air. He moved back and let a sharp yell out when the bore punched him in the back of the head. The feline moved so Nate hit one of the tables. Nate turned in a roll to get back up only to get his shirt collar snatched up by the bore demon looming over him.99Please respect copyright.PENANAzs0AYbl8AV
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As this went on, Sophia lifted her hands to either side of her necklace. It began to glow as her eyes shifted to a colder blue. A blast of blue energy shot from the sapphire just as the bore demon lifted a fist to punch Nate. The demon didn't move as the bright light shot between the pair and nearly hit the cat demon. It lasted a few moments before coming to an end and Sophia dropped her hands while glaring at the trio, ignoring the other two who began to inch their way further from them. "Let go of him, now." She commanded in a cold calm voice. Quickly the bore demon with burnt tusks released and backed away from Nate who pushed up off the table and began to mess with some of his singed hair while heading to Sophia.99Please respect copyright.PENANArvmAiZLi3k
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He looked into her eyes and felt a chill run down his spine. But she never said that would happen. Only...that her necklace could when in tune with her heart. He shook these thoughts to the back of his mind as he looked sorrowful to the young woman. "Sorry, I got carried away."99Please respect copyright.PENANAQMURTRqgnz
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"Fine, now come." Her tone still held the cold edge to it which matched her eye. Nate did follow while removing his jacket to kindly drape it over Sophia's shoulders as they left.99Please respect copyright.PENANAw0R8ZiwbYH
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The barkeeper peeked out from behind the counter to see the group trying to leave after Nate and pulled a gun, firing a bullet into the wall which caused them to stop. "You're going to help fix this place or you're going to face a judge." The group nodded and turned back around to start help cleaning up the broken furniture and clean up the space.99Please respect copyright.PENANAIogfwygbgk
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Outside the couple walked in silence to their escort with Nate having his arm around her, rubbing her arm to help calm her down. He looked to her, opened his mouth to speak but closed it without a word. She doesn't want to chit-chat, what am I thinking? Ugh, great job Nate. Just go and upset her on a night that was supposed to be fun and relaxing. As they got to the car and he opened the door for her, she hesitated while starting to get in. "Are you okay?" he asked curiously.99Please respect copyright.PENANAnprXkQQRAK
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Sophia stared at the ground while startling the car's doorway in silence. After what felt longer than a short moment, she looked up to Nate. "Honey, I think it's time."99Please respect copyright.PENANAuAHxICXi8m
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Nate's face fell upon hearing this. Oh god, really? Now? Why now? Why can't you wait until we got home?! he thought quickly as he inhaled and helped her inside. "Don't worry, I know someone who does after hours calls." He slid in beside her and closed the door. "Take us to seven-five-six South Mouler street." The driver put the car in gear and drove towards the destination as Nate focused on Sophia.99Please respect copyright.PENANAAMA40DHXri