[color=darkorange][PSA - Name is Arhen Alexander [Arr-en] no longer just Czelsc. I was being lazy back then and didn't want to associate my old character at the time][/color]


The weight of the heavy timber gave some resistance against his grip of cold steel pushing to open the tavern door. The stabbing cold air crawling away as the tavern warmth exposed. The frozen claws of the outdoors were dragging across his body, rounding to his back as though the cold hands were desperately trying to keep him outdoors. No, he was done with that for a while. 

It had been a long time since being in actual civilization. The occasional other traveler here or there, but no large groups, no gatherings, no streets. He had been in the wild for many months. Even to the point of losing track of how long. At first it had been with reason. That woman... Or whatever she was. His ignorant human self was only able to comprehend so much after all. He remembered only so few details anymore. He remembered she was troubled and upset. He remembered that there was something different about her. He was curious about her. As well, he remembered her beauty. That was unforgettable. Long ago Arhen had followed her outside. He managed to track her just enough to talk with her a moment, then so quickly she was gone. That began the first steps of his recent journey. He tried to find her, tried to keep up. But he was merely human. She was something else. Something he knew to be careful around. Something he knew would not allow him to find. She would out-do him in most everything. By his figuring, she would know where he was long before he would catch any sign of her. That she would not allow herself to be found by him unless she wanted to. So why had he perused her? That had been a question he asked himself for many months. But he wanted to find her. This was such a challenge to attempt; none other greater in his life. She intrigued him and it was motivating. Arhen tried very hard to find any sign of hers to track. He used Rhea when he could to see if she could call out anything. There was nothing of her that he could find. As though she never existed. 

Closing the heavy door behind him broke the cold claws of the outside, replacing with the embracing hug of shelter and fire. Without recognizing he let out a soft sigh of relief. Feeling the chills through his body begin to break up and settle. 

A long, tired gaze skimmed the room. A general examination of his surroundings while he was too tired to actually hang onto any details.

The same first spot he sat at long ago was open as though it were awaiting his return. He appreciated the comfort of any familiarity he could find. He walked to the corner of the bar to sit on the stool near the wall. His cold, worn hand hung onto the bulbous edge of the bar top. The light waxy feeling in his palm as he braced to settle his stiff body down onto the stool. 

Being at the corner relieved him of any mirror. He knew that he looked much different from the last time he had been here. Thicker facial hair covered the gaunt appearance; an old nomad. Not such a long beard for it was evident he had trimmed or tried to. Yet still without a mirror it was uneven and bushy. His tired grey blue eyes like drops into the wells of his sockets. So tired, so sore, so hungry, so pathetically human. His cheeks pushing out as if trying to catch his eyes as they dropped. His neck was much thinner now, making it seem slightly longer. His muscles, his vessels of blood, his thick lump of his throat all presented significantly more so. Further veins riddled his large, calloused hands. His active heart and body pushing many of them to the top of his flesh like pipes. Dirty, worn clothes clung onto his body. Long layers just enough to keep him warm. Enough layers to remove when he got too warm. He would rather have too much than not enough. He loosened his coat and the bundle beneath to adjust more comfortably. While bulky enough to conceal a small box between his chest and arm. 

“What can I get you?” The bartender asked.  
Arhen broke out of his thoughts, lifting his gaze to meet the young man. When their eyes met it forced the eyebrows of the young tender to rise. The grey-blue eyes were memorable.
“Oh wait. It’s you again. I remember you. The weird tequila guy right?” It was difficult to decipher what way he meant by that statement. Part of him did seem partly interested to see him again, while the majority seemed sarcastic. 
[color=darkorange]“Oh. You’re still here.” [/color]Arhen tossed back at him.[color=darkorange] “It seems we’ve both made bad decisions in life.” [/color]Arhen’s sharp rebuttal had the intention to shut down the conversation and make it obvious that Arhen was not yet ready to interact with others. The bartender stood staring at him, annoyed, even wishing the stranger never returned. 
“Silver tequila, right?” His voice was very flat. 
[color=darkorange]“Neat. Nothing but.” [/color] Arhen couldn’t help but keep his gaze locked with the young man, giving him a nod at remembering his order. A simple sign of gratitude. 

The tender walked away to do what seems he may do best, allowing Arhen to return to his thoughts. Staring right into a void. He was present, sure. But he was absolutely lost in his mind. Tracking her had been the start, the rest was not what he expected at all. Where he had found himself, what he got himself into, what happened. His mind could not settle. Maybe this will help him sleep a little better. A warm room for rest and relief. Be lost in his mind.

A tiny thud before him. “Here.” The bartender reminded Arhen of his order. The glass tumbler of clear liquid. A delightful sight indeed. He reached into his pocket to draw out enough money to cover the drink with a tip. The bartender took the tip then walked away with a barely audible sigh. Some expression similar to [i]”You’re lucky you tip or I wouldn’t like you.”[/i]

Arhen sat tall with enough leverage to lean over the edge of the bar top. How he appeared could be interpreted as a man with stiffness and back pain. His long stare held straight as he gripped the glass. Arhen was having a hard time stepping away from his mind. An escape that would seem easy to most. Someone stood up. It snapped him out of his mind for a moment. Long enough for Arhen to see why the being vacated the seat. Signs of the alertness and paranoia riddled the old human. He watched this odd looking man; so Arhen thought. But again something was different. He had such specific, such perfect markers. It felt like there was some special air around him. Like an old bottle of wine; the presentation of the bottle looking so old yet classic. Untouched but ready to please. Opening the bottle and exposing its own fragrance which dominates the area. It reminded Arhen of the woman. 

Finally the resolution to calm his troubled mind materialized before him. His thoughts silenced as he seen her. Her. The one from long ago. His lips pursed shut as his hand gripped the tumbler a little tighter. His eyes locked onto her for many reasons. Surprise, shock, relief, annoyance, and many more. Finally he cut his gaze, forcing himself to look to his left. To look away to the bottles on the corner of the wall. A grin crossed his face as he lift his glass. To himself, he gave cheers. The heavy taste of the strong drink left a long, hot grip down his throat. It had been too long. His eyes closed softly to enjoy. Although he returned feeling defeated in some ways, he felt accomplished for other reasons. He looked back down to the bar after the drink. His eyes locked onto the glass. He didn’t want to look right over to her. Part of Arhen wanted to go confront her. Another part just wanted to keep an eye on her as long as he can before she catches him. He was actually relieved to see her again. Knowing she was alright on her own in her world, sure, but to see so was a different feeling. 

He could have looked like a madman smiling at his glass. Almost seeming he was about to break out in laughter. After all his long, cold, tiring travels he just happens to return here. And she happened to return as well. Could he have just stayed here instead? A nice warm, cozy room and liquor on hand while she ran off to later return? He wanted to avoid those sensible thoughts. 

He decided he would keep an eye on her. Try to keep on her until she notices him, if she already hadn’t. He was beside himself at them being here again, after everything, after so long.

The old man lift his empty tumbler, a finger tapping the side toward the bartender. 

Yeah. Keep them coming.