~Sip it away~ [Brandt]

[Kitana]

"Drink today and drown all sorrow,
You shall, perhaps not do't tomorrow.
Best while you have it, use your breath
There is no drinking after death"
---John Fletcher

[OOC: Attire ... Important jewelry worn and tattoo .... Voice Pattern starts at 2:30 )

.::The sun was almost done setting. Fading into the scenery with a cascade of orange, pink and purple hues. If anyone looked Kitana could be found on a small hill just a little outside of a town somewhere in the north. It had a great view of the sunset as it gently kissed her tan skin while it continued to fade. She leaned back against her horse Kage as he rested with her and Horus under a tree. The mixed beauty didn't often enjoy these moments as her eyes drifted close. Even though there were rare moments of solace like this they weren't truly enjoyable. It was hard for her to truly find some kind of joy to hold onto. The necklace from her mother dangled on her neck as a reminder of the kindness and loving, nurturing comforts of a mother. Her late son's beaded bracelet remained ever present upon her wrist. The broken black arrow with the tip covered in cloth remained on her waist. Both were probably the most currently important to her; that wasn't to say her mother's necklace wasn't; but the way she had lost her son Keisuke anything from her was most precious. He was born from her wound. From her flesh. And he was taken from her by her own husband. His own father. Out of everything that has ever happened in her life, those events after becoming the wife of the son of the infamous Sagara clan held the most weight on her soul. It changed her a great many things. She already wasn't trusting but that dwindled down even further. It had been fairly difficult to get into her heart now it was nearly possible. No man would ever touch her heart again::.

.::Her face twitched and frowned as she stirred in her sleep. Images played over and over in her mind. A constant recurring nightmare that she desperately tried to avoid. She never cried over her son. Not once. Not a tear. Nothing. She wasn't emotionless about it. She was just in such utter shock at the moment that all she could was react in the utmost anger. Her body shuffled as the night sky shimmered with stars and moonlight. She never saw Keisuke's death truly but in her mind she saw it over and over. The moment the arrow struck his chest she quickly popped up with a gasp. Sais immediately drawn. Horus squawked in concern as Kage perked his head up to see if she was alright. A few beads of sweat trickled down the side of her face as she closed her eyes beginning to inhale and exhale slowly. A means to slow her heart rate. To regain her control over her body once more. A sharp breath released from her lungs in frustration as she pushed her body off the ground. Hands gripped tightly around the hilts before finally releasing and sheathing them once more. She needed a release and there was one way that usually led into a another that she always took after the nightmares::.

"I'm fine. Just rest here. Don't worry I just need a drink.."

~Or multiple.~

.::The two animals stared at her for a bit as she fixed her ponytail and began her stroll towards the town. Animals were interesting creatures in the way they responded to human demeanors. The pair knew all too well she wasn't truly alright, but then again when would ever be. When Saburo was dead? Probably but even so, would she really be ok? In the town she seemed to walk with an air of grace, regalness, yet there was no denying she was a bit prickly. Every rose had its thorns. Blue hues looked around until it fell upon a place where she could indulge herself in a few drinks. It was clearly a mercs type tavern. Rolling her neck she walked in immediately ignoring any stare she got as she went straight to the bar. Sitting her hair draped against most of her bare back her phoenix tattoo quite visible to prying eyes::.

"Give me the strongest."

.::A rich, smooth tone escaped her lips. The barkeep giving her a look at first before shrugging and going off to complete her desire. She could hold her liquor for a good while compare to most women. Capable of drinking most men under the table if challenged to. But tonight, as most nights when it happened, she was planning to wash it all away. Sip it away through a glass. It was all about letting it go for one night, yet in actuality it was really keeping it in. Burying it deep within the confines of her heavily guarded castle. For now she sat in solitary waiting on the barkeep as he was taking others as well. Life didn't always let the solitary folk stay that way did it? It always brought them unexpected company. Wanted or otherwise. The night was young and full of many personalities especially where she was. Mercs of all shapes and sizes were about so for certain she kept her wits about her. Black sais sheathed at her sides, though the most odd thing was probably the broken arrow with the wrapped tip that was also tied to the right side of her waist. The barkeep returned with her drink. Kitana nodded and laid some money for him as she picked up the glass and took a sip. It was strong, just how she liked it::.

[Brandt Solveig]

The life of a warrior was a tough one. Brandt's even more so. In the recent days the Nord had put his body through quite the regiment and he could surely feel the aches of hardship stabbing at him through it's entirety. The forehead wounds he had suffered in his friendly duel with the Demon of Totomi were finally healing up. The bandage was no longer needed, but the gashes were still noticeable.

Tonight he dressed light. His armor lay at his in his rented room, along with his leg protection. He was in no mood to carry anything more then he had to. Having 600 pound weights strapped to your ankles while moving around was no easy feet and his legs could still feel the effects without them on. Instead he wore a simple tan tunic, the strings meant to tie near the neck hung loose. A pair of simple dark brown trousers were strapped to his waist by a large black leather belt and upon Brandt's back was his new Zanbato that Takehiro had given him.

Having made his way toward the tavern, Brandt was in need of some healing. Mead would do the deed, he always thought, so he had set off with the goal of drinking himself into a coma til the morn' came. The giant hulk of a man would duck his head slightly as he made his way inside. He too ignored the looks of other. His pale green hues settling upon the barstead.

Brandt approached it, paying little attention to the female he sat down next to, apart from having noticed the tattoo running down her back. He wouldn't think on it much though, as those large elbows hit the bar top and be brought the rest of his battle-torn arms down to tap upon the surface.

"Give me your best.. Better use one of those big jugs.."

The nord's voice was gruff, the vocal damage done long ago certainly was something that had stuck with him and would never heal. It was clear by the looks of the man a few inches shy of seven feet, that he had experienced more battle than most. Even his face contained the evidence. The viking would quietly wait for the bartenders return.