Balthazar seemed oblivious to the implied meaning of the bartender's reply.  He felt it was just a witty way to respond that the old establishment was probably not looking to do any business with him.  That was fine. Balthazar's gang had their own territory and were already rolling in enough cash.

"Dead and alive?  Hah.  You're right about that" commented Balthazar as he sipped his wine.  Shady types like him were dead to the world.  They didn't step into daylight.  Records of them were rare and purposely faked.  The general public feared or abhorred them as if even coming into eye contact with them would lead to their souls being drained.  Both dead and alive at the same time.  How very true.

Lucas remained silent as he watched the bubbles float up to the surface of his drink and simply pop one by one.  How long had it been since he went to the beach?  When was the last time he truly laughed?  He became a lawyer to get himself out of a sticky situation.  Balthazar helped him and his father's business.  The glass of Coke in his hand wasn't just so he wouldn't spill secrets.  It was also the last sense of normalcy he held onto.   When all the bubbles finished popping, the glass of soda goes flat and it's no longer soda anymore.  Lucas quietly stared at his boss' back.  Lucas didn't want to accept it at first, but he knew what the bartender meant.  Balthazar was still unaware. But Lucas didn't say anything at all.  He wanted to see his boss... be alive. 

Balthazar watched more customers arrive.  One even had a prosthetic leg.  Interesting what technology companies can do.  Perhaps it was a prototype.  And with the other customer, a device which foamed and stopped the bleeding - now THAT was something he was interested in.  So this place was a distribution centre.  By why wasn't he aware of these inventions?!  He sold everything, even guns and weapons stolen from right under the eyes of the military and their scientific labs.  Balthazar's head throbbed in pain.  His subconscious was trying to remember something important.

"Balty?" went Lucas, setting down his drink.

"I'm fine.  Ask if we can buy more of that device.  Norman would attack soon enough"

Lucas gave a silent nod and went over to Vyn.  "Vyn, is it?  I'm Lucas McKenzie.  The device which stops bleeding - my boss would be interested in purchasing them, either from you or your supplier.  Money is not a problem" said Lucas in a polite tone.

[@Lady Selune]
----

Cookies had finished her saucer of milk and watched as food was taken out of the small compartment.  A chill scent filled the air and made her sneeze.  She looked around the cabinet, nuzzling the door a little.  She wondered what other kind of magical foods would come out.  And so Cookies just sat there and gave a little meow.  'Hi, food door!' would probably be what the furball was trying to say in cat-speak.

[@Silent Showers]