An afterwork pint

[Theo Chulainn]

Acra sighed as he placed the last of his paperwork into his out box. He yawned and drank the last drop of his coffee. For once finding the rush of caffeine was not enough to fix his weariness. Maybe a good pint or five would help. Stretching he took a quick pace out of his office. Popping in to say goodbye to Shula and some of his co workers. He called a town car from his father head office to come take him to the pub. Quickly changing into some casual but smart clothing as he didn’t want his work clothes to smell of beer and smoke.

The wait had been ten minuets before the car appeared. Giving Wallace a quick greeting he climbed into the back and announced his destination. The fifteen minuet drive seemed like hours to his weary body and he had almost drifted off in the back. Soon the car jolted to a stop outside his favourite pub. The cronky pony. “I’ll call you when I want picking up Wallace.” He motioned to his butler and stepped out. Watching the car drive away he pushed the door open and stepped in. Heading for a bar stool he smiled and waved at some girls who were sat at a table giggling. He sat at the bar. “One pint…Amestrian best please.” He made his order and waiting as the cold pint with foam taking a sip he gave a happy noise. “Nothing better then this after a work.”

[Guest]

After a long day of managing his crew, doing odd jobs for some extra cash, and just being plain sexy; Jack was worn out and ready to get a drink. Normally, Jack would have bought a few bottles of rum in advance and kept them where he lived, but he had recently depleted that stockpile. Now, Jack was not at all a drunk, but he did love the taste and burning sensation of rum, as well as having quite a high alcohol tolerance. That, and there was no better way to relax after a hard day' work than to sit back and relax with a bottle of rum. Tonight, however, Jack decided to go to a bar to drink, deciding to refill his rum stockpile some other time. While there was no shortage of bars within Central City, Jack decided to go to one that he had heard about that apparently sold what was known as "the world's best rum." Being a rum enthusiast, it took no time at all for him to make this decision.

As he walked into the bar, Jack managed to turn a few heads; although mostly those of the ladies. Of course, being "The Pirate Jack" as well as building his own pirate crew, it could be assured that at least a few of the people there would recognize him. Then again, because of this and his appearance, Jack fit surprisingly well into the bar crowd; although he was still getting quite a few glances from many of the ladies. Paying this no mind, Jack went straight up to the bar, right next to a man that was drinking an Amestrian beer. "Oi, I'll have some Ron Barceló Imperial, a whole bottle not just some sissy shots" Jack said as he motioned for the bartenders attention. Of course, it didn't take long for Jack to get his order, and as soon as he got the bottle he opened it up and took a large swig from the bottle. "Ahh, damn, there's nothin' better than a bottle of good rum after a long day" Jack said to the man next to him. While this was more of just a general statement, it was also to start a conversation; as you didn't go to a bar just to drink, but to hang out with other while you drank.

[Theo Chulainn]

The blonde looked up. A man sat beside him and ordered a rum. Downing his beer her ordered one more. “Hard day?” He chuckled watching the man eagerly open the bottle of rum he had ordered and take a swig. The man practically copied what he had said after the first gulp of beer. “Rum…Never had that…much prefer beer…” The fresh pint was placed in front of him. “The best in the country…I could drink this every day.” He chuckled licking the foam from his lip.

He looked over the man beside him. He wore the oddest fashion. “Strange clothing you got there?” He murmured. Hearing the giggles of the near by girl he sent a charming smile over to them. Turning to the bar man. “Round of drinks for the ladies on me. A pub never feels right without the happy chatter of some pretty girls.” He grinned watching the bar man make the girls a drink and carry them over. “So friend…what’s your name?” He asked holding out his hand. “Mine's Acra. I like to know whose joining me for a good drink and bar banter.” As interestedly peculiar this man looked he did look foreword to a good night with some good company.

[Guest]

After taking another swig of his rum, Jack placed the bottle on the bar counter and let out a laugh at the other man's comment about rum and beer. "Heh, don't get me wrong, I give you the Amestrians their props for making quit a fine brew; but when you've been beat up by the day as much as I have you go for something with more of a kick, something that burns on the way down to remind ya that you're still alive" Jack said with a warm grin as he held up his bottle of rum, as if to make a point. Now, Jack was nowhere near drunk yet, but there was just something about the atmosphere of a bar that made Jack more comfortable being his true, more sociable self. Of course, while he was being friendly, Jack did still have that "Pirate-y" aura to him. Noticing the other man's comment about his clothing, Jack let out yet another laugh, still holding up his bottle of rum. "Hey, it's comfortable, easy to move in, and apparently quite popular with the ladies" he said before taking yet another swig of rum. As he said this, Jack pointed back behind himself with his left thumb at a group of ladies. As if he had planned the whole thing out, the ladies immediately turned away from staring at Jack, all of them giggling to themselves. Of course, jack did make sure to leave out the little part about his clothing being related to his being a Pirate.

Putting his rum down, Jack looked over at the man as he introduced himself; Acra. "Hah, well Acra, my name's Jack, Jack Fulhelmknight" he said with a friendly grin. As he introduced himself, Jack held his hand out to shake Acra's, a common thing that people did when they introduced themselves. Of course, between men, the hand shake was also a way to judge a man's character; the stronger the grip the more reliable the person. While this may not have been any written rule, it was still something that all men knew; sort of an unwritten rule. Jack, of course, always had a firm and strong handshake; due not only to how strong he was, but also because of his character.

[Theo Chulainn]

Acra grinned. “That’s what’s coffee is for.” He gave a cheeky gulp. “To each there own.” He listened to Jacks comment about his clothing. “Suits you…I prefer top label smart casual…Think if I walk in the house in your outfit my father might kick the bucket.” He sniggered. He ran a hand through his hair knowing that the stares was shared between the two of them. Taking a gulp he grinned. “Of course they say girls love a man in uniform.” He chuckled. “That and free beer are the best things about my job!” Cheering slightly.

He squeezed back. He too had a strong firm grip and years of practice of high society greetings. But Jack would of felt the scars of high scolding. A few calluses and the slightly tingle of sensitivity of new skin. Acra’s lip twitched as he had only just taken the bandages off that morning. But he held strong and forced himself to carry on through the slight discomforting pain. “Well it’s a pleasure to meet you friend. Nice to have a good drinking buddy. Am I right?” He waited for Jack to let go.

[Guest]

Jack laughed a bit as the conversation seemed to have turned towards clothing; something he really hadn't expected. "Eh, that kinda stuffy, formal wear just ain't for me; besides, it lacks that sense of personality that ya get from some good 'ol worn out clothes like these" Jack said, flicking his collar slightly to add to his point. Of course, Acra's comment about the ladies also brought out another laugh from Jack. "To be honest, I think that most of these girls just want a pretty face to stare at; either that or they're just afraid of me" Jack said before taking another swig of rum, the bottle more than half empty by now. Of course, even though the rum was much stronger than beer, because of his high alcohol tolerance, Jack still wasn't showing any signs of being drunk. "Heh, best thing about my job is that I'm free to do what I want; I guess you could say that I'm kinda my own boss" Jack responded to Acra's comment about his job.

Now, while Jack hadn't actually revealed anything about what he really did, he had said more than he usually did to other. This was because Jack had noticed Acra's firm handshake, and combining that with what he had been able to see about his personality; he figured that he was a good person, at least deep down. "Hey, no one should have to drink alone" Jack said, the friendly grin returning to his face. "Just as Billy Joel said, 'They're sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it's better than drinking alone'" Jack said, quoting Billy Joel's "Piano Man". While neither of them were quite as down as the people talked about by that line, it was a good statement about the importance of being able to drink with others.

[Theo Chulainn]

“Oh self employed? Well a lot of self made business are doing well currently. I have the ability to pick up part of the family business as a fall back in case my current occupation doesn’t work out.” He downed his beer and ordered enough one and a new bottle of rum for Jack. He waited a few minuets for his next pint of beer to be placed in front of him. “Well… I hopefully have a good promotion waiting for me.” Giving a smile and a happy sigh. “I had to miss the test due to medical reason’s but I get it this time.” Taking a deep gulp from it and smiled. “Join my friend in becoming a state alchemist… can’t think of anything I want more right now.”


Hearing his quote he laughed heartedly. “Now that man…is a smart one.” He grinned. Chuckling he turned to jack. “Hungry? I might order some chips.” Looking to the board behind the bar that listed food that one could buy. He hadn’t had dinner yet and he was feeling hungry. “Shall I get one to share?” He asked.

[Guest]

To be honest, Jack was a bit surprised that he was getting along so well with this Acra person. From his previous experiences, Jack had found that most people with wealth tended to be snobby and stuck up; and none of them would have even so much as approached him. Acra, however, was different. Sure, he seemed to flaunt his wealth a bit, but he didn't seem to be so stuck up, and was even a little gracious with his money. That, and he sure did make an interesting drinking buddy. Of course, there was one little problem; Acra seemed to be in the military. Sure, he didn't have anything against the soldiers themselves, but seeing as Jack and his crew were working to get rid of the military dictatorship and install a democrat government, there could be a little tension between the two. Of course, there was always the chance that he would agree with Jack's ideas, or at least their principles, but that was quite unlikely. Still, as long as Jack didn't bring up anything about being a pirate or his crew he should be safe.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Jack's friendly grin returned as the bartender brought out another bottle of rum for him, complements of Acra. "Oi, thanks for the bottle, this stuff can get quite pricey depending on how your day's been" Jack said, raising his bottle of rum to do a "cheers" clink with Acra. With that, Jack finished off his first bottle of rum and slid it over to the bartender. "Yeah, well, you'd be surprised just how many good quotes there are in classic rock" Jack said before taking a swig from the new bottle of rum. "I mean, it's not all just metaphors for sex" Jack said with a laugh as he brought the bottle of rum back down. As Acra mentioned food, Jack just realized that he was actually quite hungry. Although he did actually have some money today, Jack had been too busy to give any thought to food. Reaching into his pocket, Jack pulled out a few coins of various worth and placed them on the table. "How about we go half 'n half on a party size of chips, as thanks for the last bottle" Jack suggested with a friendly grin.

[Theo Chulainn]

Giving a grin he clunked his glass against the rum bottle. “Hey nothing to it.” sniggering a little he shifted in his seat. “All on Daddy dearest!” He cheered slightly. Not bragging but just having a laugh. Taking a good gulp he smiled. “Yeah some of them are rather witty…even if there just a bit odd…or inspired by some form of drug.” Leaning foreword a bit he pondered for a moment. “Though nothing wrong with sex…” He gave a snort like laugh feeling a bit tipsy. It had been a while since he had such a drinking session. And being worn out was not helping him from being a tad bit of a light weight.

He nodded to the other. “Alright that sounds pretty fair.” He commented before turning to the bar tender. “One party sized chips… share the bill on that one.” He said watching the bar tender put in the order and write down the pricing on the tabs. “But the rum is still on me…” Giving Jack a cheeky smile.

[Guest]

Jack let out a laugh at Acra's comments on classic rock and sex, putting his bottle of rum back on the bar counter. "Oi, as long you got yourself a pretty gal then it's quite alright" Jack responded, picking the bottle of rum back up and taking another swig. "Either that, or drink enough so that they're all pretty" Jack joked, letting out another laugh at what he had just said. While Jack did have a high alcohol tolerance, he was on his second bottle of rum; and having over twice the alcohol of Acra, Jack was starting to get a little tipsy as well. Of course, because of the conversation and good drinking buddy, Jack paid little mind to how tipsy he was. "Ah, I kid, that's a bad one" Jack said with a grin. Luckily for Jack, even if he were to get plastered, he was always able to keep enough sense not to pull out his revolver in public or go around shouting that he was "The Pirate Jack".

As the waiter came by to take their order of chips, Jack went ahead and payed his half of the price right there; not wanting to have to remember about it later. "Hah, what kinda man would I be if I refused a free bottle of rum" Jack said with a laugh as Acra reminded him that he was still buying his rum. Of course, that was another reason why going out to a bar to drink was a good thing; if you met the right person and had a good conversation, they would sometimes buy your drinks for you. After taking another swig of rum, Jack turned to look over at Acra more closely. "So tell me Acra, what is it that ya do for a living...er, well, considering your money, morle like what ya do as a hobby" Jack said with a laugh as he asked about Acra's job. Seeing as he had already told Acra, well, generally what he did; Jack was curious to know what his new drinking buddy did while not getting drunk in a bar.

[Theo Chulainn]

“Ahh…” Acra smiled fondly. “I have myself a very pretty girl indeed.” He gave a happy sigh. “I plan to make her happy every day.” He said softly watching the other drink his rum. “She is something very special.” Smiling softly he sipped his beer and stole a chip once it had arrived. He laughed at jack comment. “Yeah as they say…what’s on the inside and all that rubbish.” He chuckled slightly. The alcohol on his tongue now made it run a bit to eagerly with what it said.

He listened to jack and grinned pulling out the silver pocket watch. “I’m a state Alchemist.” He placed it safely back in his pocket almost scared of loosing it. “I’m based here in central military as the warrant officer but yes. Main job is being an alchemist of the state. Here to protect the people and do what I can to keep this world running in order.” He mumble almost snorted at how text book his answer seemed to be.

[Sponsored content]