backwards pleasures

REMI

The man known to the locals of Torchline didn't resemble at all the man once known in Northwind, Northaven, and then, the Hollowed Grounds. Instead this man was tall and muscular, a man of fewer words and rare smiles. A useful man, but one who proved himself deadly just as often as helpful. Today it was that that man pushed open the door to the Hanged Man with a bare shoulder, his chest revealing wounds still healing from some beach-brawl or other (none dared ask). In his hands he held a crate of poorly made alcohol (likely all would be surprised to know that once he'd been quite good at this). But time wasn't on his side, and so this quickly-made swill was the best he had to offer.

Setting it roughly on the bar, Remi pointed at a glass which immediately flew his way. Taking out one of the bottles he poured himself a healthy dose of it, quickly knocked it back, grimaced, and then poured another.

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The Ark had miraculously managed to arrive in Haulani safely, which, between the sea monsters, the storm, sailing over the Maw, and the seemingly constant fighting between the crew (Eloise and Jack were the worst offenders), hadn't seemed at all sure. So Saiden did what any good sailor did when first arriving in port.

He'd gone to get himself roaring drunk.

Striding down the beach, chest bare, cutlass strapped to his hip, he made a beeline straight for the Hanged Man. Entering, he immediately relaxed as the cool lighting and breeze swept over him. He did a quick scan of the interior. Most of the patrons were staring at the injured man currently guzzling apparently homemade drinks at the bar.

The cook grinned at the sight, and sauntered over to the stranger. "Mind sharing with a thirsty sailor, mate?" Hints of Northwind peppered his speech, but it was softened by his years at sea and his year and a half in Caido. Leaning his side against the bar, he turned to give the other man a proper once over.

REMI

Remi absolutely did mind, the words do I look like I fucking work here? already half-formed on his lips as he turned to fix the man speaking to him with a hard stare. Which is of course when he recognized him. How could he not? Once, bashful and ashamed, Remi had hardly been able to look at Saiden much less hold up his end of a conversation. And though the pair hadn't had many of those, the alchemist did indeed remember who he was, and offered him a greeting befitting that memory: his fist aimed directly at Saiden's nose.

Stronger, faster, and likely a good deal more hostile than the sailor was, the alchemist would aim his knuckles right into the bridge of Saiden's nose. So much the better if the bone broke. "That's for you and your banshee of a sister stealing my bar." He'd have absolutely hit the man's kin had she shown up as well.

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our sins are washed away

Obviously the nose broke with a sickening crunch, given how strong Remi was and how unprepared Saiden had been for the blow. The cook hadn’t recognized the alchemist, given how limited their interaction had been and how much the other man had changed. However, the accent was unmistakable, and the mention of the bar triggered the memories.

Unfortunately, the Hali had to stagger backwards as his vision whited out from the pain. "The fuck?" The words came out understandably muffled. The other patrons had all gone on high alert, hands on weapons. Saiden rested his own on his cutlass, though he made no move to draw it. "You wanna rethink that?" There was a naked anger in his voice.

REMI

How Remi was coming to love the sound of small bones breaking. It balanced out his heartache in a way he couldn't quite articulate. Or maybe it just added to the darkness in a way he found soothing.

Without bothering to glance around as the peace was so quickly disturbed, the alchemist gave Saiden a dangerously casual look. There was no vibrancy in his gaze, no sunniness or joy. There was only mad grief turned hard and impenetrable. 'As turning back time is not one of my abilities, I think you'll find there's nothing on my end to rethink."

So saying he turned towards the Hali, leaning against the bar with a brow challengingly raised. If there was anyone with something to rethink it was Saiden, but of course Remi seemed more than happy to have the man make the stupid decision. Which was of course, to attack.

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our sins are washed away

As Remi spoke, Saiden’s eyes narrowed. He stood there for a long while, glaring at the alchemist, not saying anything. Finally, he lowered his hand from his sword. "Well then. Welcome to Haulani." There was a great deal of venom in the cook's voice, and he was not at all cowed by the other man's posture.

With that, the Hali stalked past Remi. Although there might've been some chuckles from the other patrons, Saiden didn't care, and he didn't look back. Instead, he just pushed his way outside, head high. It was only when he was outside and out of view that he let the pain show. He immediately headed to find a healer to set his nose.

REMI

'As far as welcoming parties go, I've seen better." Remi said with a dark smirk, the mirth of which didn't reach his eyes. As Saiden stormed past, the alchemist merely turned back towards his drink, rolling the glass between his fingers feeling absolutely nothing. Absently he wiped a bit of blood from his knuckles onto the bar.

~FIN

Coding base by Sky!