Monday, late at night.
After finishing up with dinner at the inn, the group returned to their rooms, but as always, Thames quietly snuck out.
Entering the Oril District under watch of the moon, he easily blended in with the shadows of the street as he was dressed in an all-black suit which he had cheaply thrifted.
It was rather oversized, but he didn't mind. Thames was used to making the best of what he could find as money had grown tight among the group.
Entering the bar from earlier, he noticed that the orc was still manning it, but a new person had shown up. He sat at the bar, drinking a tonic and gin.
The man, small in stature, had midnight blue hair, like a cloudless night sky in the most beautiful world Thames could imagine. He seemed to be murmuring with the bartender, occasionally sharing a chuckle as Thames walked up slowly.
"Coffee please." He asked gently, glancing over to the other patron.
On top of his dark blue hair, his skin was like ivory, and he had mostly soft features, but his nose was definitely his strongest one. Crooked like it had been poorly kept in place after an injury.
"You staying up late?" The man asked with a poignant, distant tone.
"Mhm..." Thames responded slowly, sitting next to him.
His grey pupils resembled a storm, reminding Thames sharply of his journey to Ariao.
"I'm Thames." He said quickly as the orc delivered a black coffee with a small pitcher of milk.
"Marigold..." He responded, leaning onto the bar and looking up as Thames poured milk into his coffee.
The bartender let out a small sigh before adding, "Jones."
Eleven at night and this place is busier than earlier... Guess that's just how it is in the Oril District. Last time I was in a bar drinking with someone... If I can even call this that, was probably before I left home. Or maybe with Jones.
Thames chuckled to himself, realizing he was with a new Jones.
Would he even believe what I've been through? No way.
Marigold sighed then turned back to Jones.
"You like theater, Thames?"
Thames took a sip of his bitter coffee, thinking about the question. It went down his throat smooth.
"Theater? I've been once or twice... In Prolton."
Theater? That's a weird interest, but I guess it's something... Mom took me a few times.
The three fell into silence, the scent of crappy beer mixing in with the stale coffee. The squeaking of Jones polishing a whiskey glass was the only thing that cut it.
Thames continued and asked, "You like theater?"
Marigold nodded, his hair shaking slightly.
"Have you seen any?"
Brushing the hair out of his eyes, Marigold responded, "I've seen one! It was a beautiful tragedy."
Beautiful tragedy? He's a theater kid then? Wait, are there even theaters in Ariao?
"There's theaters here?"
He nodded quickly, "Only in the Sun District though!"
"Ah... Have you been?"
"Yeah! That was the one I saw... Can't remember the name."
Jones spoke up, setting a glass on the rack behind him. "Are you stayin' in the Oril District?"
"Me? No, I'm near the pier." Thames spoke quickly, finishing his coffee, but Jones quickly refilled it. Then he asked, "You guys live in the Oril District?"
Both Marigold and Jones nodded, confirming his thoughts.
Jones spoke up, refusing to let the conversation die out, he said, "I'm from Lino originally."
"Lino? When did you move?" Thames asked as he noticed Marigold seemed to already know.
"Six months ago."
Ah... He left after the Lino Crisis.
"You ran a bar there too?"
He just nodded as he went to polish more glasses.
"Jones got the best drinks 'round here! Plus, it's cheap." A grin appeared on Marigold's face as he mentioned the price.
Thames nodded, but didn't ask any more questions about Lino and drank his coffee in silence.
"I knew a magician who was there." Jones said plainly then continued, "He's still around. Bet you've heard of him."
Ode? He knows Ode, right? What other magicians survived... I guess he could be talking about Rubes or Lin, but why would I know them? He's mentioning magicians first... Either he's curious about them or suspicious of me.
"Who?"
"Ode Yule. You must know him."
Marigold nodded then spoke up. "Yeah, he's gotta be great! I mean, he released all those books for us."
Us?
"Oril District changed a lot once he did that." Jones nodded. "Changed a lot."
Falling into silence, Marigold got his drink refilled and Thames continued to work on his large cup of coffee, now without milk. It was strong and bitter, the burning hot liquid continuing to jolt him awake with each sip.
Every so often, the sound of running and screams would come from outside, waking the three up as they glanced over, but no one ever entered the empty bar.
That's how it is I guess... These two must be magicians then. If Ode helped them and if Jones knows him, no way he isn't a magician. Guess these are the real 'First Godless Generation'. Hah! What a joke.
"Don't worry Thames!" Marigold said loudly, catching the attention of Jones, he went on, "No one ever comes in here! Must know 'bout Jones."
They both glanced towards Jones who half laughed in response.
"It's getting late, Marigold. You should get back."
He rolled his eyes, pulling his wallet out. As he opened it, Thames noticed a picture of him and an unknown man, hugging closely. He paused briefly, clearing focusing on his own picture, then pulled out three copper bills.
"See you later Jones!"
"Be safe out there."
"Bye Marigold."
Marigold nodded towards Thames then responded, "It was nice to meet you!"
The two watched the blue haired man leave the bar, entering the dark polluted streets of the Oril District, then turned to each other.
"I'll head out then."
"Walk around the Oril District if you need to stay up. The scent will keep you up!"
Jones laughed at his own joke as he began to clean Marigold's cup.
"...How much do I owe you?"
"I'll just put it on your tab, Thames."
Tab? Guess I'll be coming back...
"Thanks then." He got up from the bar, turning towards the door. "I'll see you another night!"
Entering Oril Street, the main street of the district, he turned right, heading further into the district and let his thoughts consume him as the night slowly took him away.
Wonder what Marigold does... Wonder who that was in his picture.
None of my business.