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[color=Pink]"I mean..."[/color]  A flustered MacKensie Trydant was the funniest thing this side of the dimensional rift.  Zell threw his head back with a teethy grin after seeing her react to calling it a date, [color=Pink]"...you can pay for the drinks and then leave the vicinity so that I might enjoy them without your annoying bravado."[/color] but she instantly brought him crashing back to reality with her comeback.

"Come on!" he protested with fake outrage, before breaking into a chuckle with her.  With all the struggle and strife that was going on, light-hearted banter was keeping his morale afloat.  The prim and proper Frenchwoman was a blessing for the frat boy.

When James turned up and called them all for a meeting, "No problem, bossman," Zell gave his friend a salute, his mirth lingering through the interaction until the Cleric left to gather the others.  He turned back to MacKensie, smile still on his face.

[color=Pink]"You are incorrigible, Zell Brooks."[/color]

He winked.  "Naturally."

In James' room, the party leader explained that the Temple had offered Second Chance the services of an experienced Paladin.  Zell wouldn't admit it, but he was over the moon to find out they were getting help on the front line.  Just him and Joji to cover everyone would've been a tough task, and Zell was determined not to lose any more of his friends.  This Barracker guy was more than welcome.  [i]Sign him up![/i] was Zell's internal celebration.  He was grateful that Fenna and MacKensie were also on board.  After the two Ranger's said their piece, Zell shrugged.

"I mean, sure, why not?" he said.  His arms were folded as he coolly leaned against the wall.  "Not that me and Joji aren't more than enough to handle the job up front.  We'll be fine now that we're stronger.  But no sense in refusing an extra hand if it's offered.  Bring the man aboard."

Once the discussion was settled, Zell went downstairs with the intention of just one last drink before bed.  He ended up making friends a random local who taught him a few tavern songs.  They were singing and drinking until midnight, with a few other Mended Drum regulars.  They all told their best stories of other wild nights of drinking antics, tales of lost loves, shitty employers and more. Before the end, they drunkenly professed brotherhood to one another, arms around eachother's shoulder, Zell giving the man random kisses on the top of his head.

When Frederick was kicking people out to close up the inn for the night, he found Zell asleep at a table in the corner of the room.  Because the swordsman had already paid for a room, he tried once to get the Englishman to go up stairs to bed, failed, then promptly ignored the unconcious man.  All the lights shut off once the barman finished cleaning up.  Zell was left in the silent, empty taproom, snoring until morning.