Alan gave a chuckle- that was more akin to a sharp exhalation of air than any real laugh- as their newest recruit approached him. She gave him a formal bow and called him sir. Removing his boots from the table, he casually waved her to sit down. [color=CD5C5C]"Not a sir- and definitely not a commander."[/color] He had heard of their newest recruit, supposedly a remarkably talented swordswoman- enough so that their band leader had taken an interest in her. The woman was a tall and thin thing, graceful with her motions, but rather rigid with her temperament. 

[color=CD5C5C]"You Kusagi types are pretty stiff huh?"[/color] he asked, referring to her likely habitual bow. Noticing that the girl still had yet to sit, Alan gave a small shake of his head. [color=CD5C5C]"Sit, sit,"[/color] he said with a sigh as he leaned back and took a swig of his drink. Enjoying the bittersweet taste, he leaned towards the table again, and regarded the girl, this Ryza Shiro. [color=CD5C5C]"Alan, Alan Ryner."[/color] he said as a way of introduction. Behind him, a small swirl of fire seemed to calmly grow in height until it was the size of an average person. As the flames dissipated, a pale woman clothed in white and red garb, and a white wolf mask, stood in its place. [color=CD5C5C]"And this is my partner, Seru. We've been working with the Red Hawks for close to two years now."[/color]

Alan noticed the rest of the bar beginning to pick up in regards to its general activity. One of the Dericho Riders- a sort of black sheep amongst the rest of the bands due to their generally considered 'dirty' practices and high fatality rate- had set up shop in the corner of the bar, several of the patrons giving him obvious berth. Also at the bar was Eli Rondell, the big man easily recognized no matter where he went, usually bearing a look that many would call 'morbid desperation'. The man was a far cry from someone, like say Mrs. Govannon, the highly regarded and almost revered medical practitioner. Both were well respected within the Guild community, just not for the same reasons.

[color=CD5C5C]"So new blood,"[/color] Alan said casually, [color=CD5C5C]"You're a far way from home. Whats the story with that?"[/color]