When Drunken Worlds Collide

[Space Core]

Novux entered the cantina. the sign on the outside read "Bare Butt Nowhere Cantina". Why he was here and why he was in a cantina were two question he had absolutely no answer to.

He had suddenly felt a strong urge to consume some alcoholic beverages, at the same time he had sensed a great disturbance in the Force. As if some cosmic otherworldly being had suddenly decided to make him do something extremely stupid for its own amusement.

The inside of the cantina was dull as could be, there were many patrons already inside, and all the tables were taken. The room was like an oval humping a square, with the bar in the centre of the circular area. Why was he here already? Oh yeah, crazy otherworldly being controlling him was being a prick. For a blissful second there he'd forgotten he wasn't being controlled against his will.

Well while he was here he decided he might as well go get a drink. Or was that really him who decided that? Maybe the controller was getting more subtle. Troubling. Novux went up to the bar.

"Give me something strong," the kaleesh muttered darkly at the barman. The short human male gave him a look and got busy behind the bar, serving an amber liquor to Novux. The Sith looked at the drink for a couple of seconds and downed it in one go. It tasted like fire going down his throat. Felt good. Reminded him o something, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"Another," if he was being controlled against his will maybe passing out form alcohol would give him some comfort.

[Deleted]

*tumbleweeds running through*

[Space Core]

Another customer entered the crowded cantina just as Novux was working on his third drink. The Sith spared her a glance. Judging by the colour of her skin and the fact that her body was similar to that of a human he concluded that she must be a Zeltron. A strange conclusion to come to seeing as he'd never read about that particular species. He frowned at his glass in mild puzzlement, and once again felt as if someone was controlling him. A chill ran up his spine and he finished his drink. The barman promptly served him another.

However strange it may have been for him to know of her species without ever having encountered it previously she was still of little interest to him. Far as he knew he was here to pass the time until whatever strange series of events that had led him here decided to leave him alone. In a way he was just along for the ride. He'd actually come to the decision that this was probably a dream of some description, a very vivid dream, but a dream nonetheless.

Yet for some inexplicable reason he was suddenly overtaken by a strong urge to speak to her. To say something. Anything. He frowned again, this time in frustration. This was stupid, and he'd had enough of this crap. He got up, turned around and left the cantina.

Or at least he thought he did. He could swear his brain had sent out the order to leave this place, but for some reason he was still in his chair. His glass was full again, that at least was good news. He downed the drink in one go before turning to the Zeltron female that had just taken a place at the bar next to him.

"I'llhave some Corellian Brandy please. And keep them coming," he heard her say to the barman. The incomprehensible urge to engage in conversation returned, stronger than before. He gave a resigned sigh before opening his mouth.

"If you're trying to get drunk you might as well order something a little stronger," he told her, a little more harshly than he'd intended. Then again the urge was to talk, not to be pleasant, so in a way it mattered little how he addressed her. This was a dream anyway. Or maybe a nightmare.

[Deleted]

*tumbleweeds running through*

[Space Core]

((OOC: I recently changed Novux's speech pattern, so be prepared to have him speak strangely))

A fain smile tugged at the kaleesh's lips. The girl was not easily intimidated it would seem. Her tone seemed to have a slight competitive edge to it too.

"A man was served a swill that seems to be closer to pure alcohol than to any potable beverage," Novux replied dryly. The barman shot him a dark look when the kaleesh criticised the drink, and promptly quailed as the masked man returned the threatening stare.

"A man would wager that this liquor is the most potent beverage this establishment serves," he added, turning back to look at the Zeltron with his hard amber eyes as he took another sip of his similarly coloured beverage.

"If a girl wishes to lose her wits and forget her troubles, a man would strongly recommend it. A man may even conjure up a context for her. Say a friendly wager. The barman will set up a row of shots of the beverage, and a man and a girl will drink simultaneously. The last of them to stand will be the winner."

[Deleted]

*tumbleweeds running through*

[Space Core]

The kaleesh spared a glance at the other patrons of the cantina, he could see what she meant. All the customers were throwing the zeltron lusty looks every now and then, and none looked particularly honourable. As a matter of fact he was fairly sure that a couple of them looked bold enough to try to take her by force if ever they saw a chance. Novux locked eyes with a particularly large iridonian with multiple scars running across his face. Both men held each other's stare a few seconds before both turning way at the same time. Novux turned back to the girl next to him.

"A girl is wise to mistrust the brutes around her. They look to be an unsavory group" he conceded. "A man would rather not be passed out while in the company of these individuals. For various reasons. A man suggests the contestants drink until one of them forfeits then," he declared simply.

"As neither of the contestants wish to lose the totality of their wits in this little friendly wager then neither of them is likely to push too far," with that he rapped on the bar's concrete surface, producing a series of loud knocks on the hard surface and catching the barman's attention.

"A man and a girl will have..." before finishing his sentence the kaleesh turned to look at the zeltron, taking in her frame and build, as if he was scanning her. In truth he was weighting her up. He knew his limit when it came to alcohol, but he didn't know her limit. It was always best to know your opponent's skill before engaging in battle. Not for the first time he told himself she reminded him of someone he'd know a long time ago, a half forgotten face.

"Two racks of four glasses of whatever it is you've been serving this man," he finally said. The barman smiled and busied himself with the drinks, happy at the prospect of a lot of money coming into his account.

As the drinks were slammed down in front of him and the zeltron he picked up one of the glasses and raised it.

"Tradition dictates a toast is to be made. A man will drink to not going anywhere and not being busy," he said, before downing the glass and placing it back on the bar. "It is now the girl's turn."

[Deleted]

*tumbleweeds running through*