Dry Debts. (Connor, Kora. PM for invite.)

Connor didn't tell anyone where he was going for his next time off, but it was clear he wasn't training this time, having vanished from the training grounds like some phantom.

He hadn't been to Stohess since before the Fall of Maria, and even then his memory was vague. He appreciated how well kept the city was, clean with very little criminal activity in sight save for maybe the occasional two bit scum sitting still in the shadows. Every city had them, no matter how nice or secure.

He knew an acquaintance, Mitsuo Shimura, set up shop here though could never commit the address to memory. He'd ask around but he was here for a different reason, a wager he was eager to settle for friendly reasons.

He leaned against a building just a stones throw from the gate checkpoint where most Garrison soldiers checked out. His vigil almost seemed stoic if not for his casual posture, having stayed there for however long it took. He had come this far, granted a short distance, he could wait.

Though he imagined he looked pretty shady right now, a stout, hardened fellow dressed in black looking like some Nedlay outcast.

But of course, that was the look he went for wasn't it?

Connor's wait finally paid off. She passed him by and only just saw him as he stood up from the building. He had expected some display of joy, but what she did in earnest surprised him.

Kora had hugged him...something Connor had no experience in, and therefore had no defense. In an instant, the once stone-hearted and disciplined Trainee began to act as some undomesticated animal would in this situation; confused, anxious, his every muscle tensing around the grip.

It set his blood on fire though, turning his tanned face red hot. His head felt foggy and his arms and legs felt weak. Connor never understood why people embraced one another like this, and now was even more confused as to why it was affecting him like this.

'Say something, you idiot.' That voice of doubt spoke again, trying to get his composure straight and adverting the situation from being any more awkward than it probably was by now in Connor's stunned silence. "I...uh..." Connor tried to speak, though for a split second he for the life of him couldn't remember why he was here. "Well, you..." then it came back to him. "I owed you a drink."

It wasn't so much that he wasn't comfortable, it was just unexpected. Connor's rather priceless expressions of bashfulness would tell this. Maybe he was just as lonesome as she was, he just didn't realize it the same way she did because he didn't understand genuine affection until now.

Connor nodded at the next statement, somewhat shocked that she didn't expect it of him. "Really? Most folk I've known before hold the debt of another until they either pay up or take it to the grave..." He sighed. "Well...at least it's been worth the trip so far." He spoke aloud, not quite realizing what he said just now.

Connor enjoyed drinking, if anything but to make him feel like he was living back in simpler times when he was fighting bandits rather than training to fight giants. It made the world feel a bit less grim. Well, at least grim enough to where raiders were the only thing to worry about. "Well, ladies first..." He answered with a gestured arm.

Rysa found it hard to believe as she watched from the gate. Some trainee had just invited this woman out to drink in Stohess, I broad daylight. What an oddity, she thought as she made the decision to approach the pair as the fellow offered out his arm. Her freshly wrapped bandage that covered the wound upon her forehead, that Alan had given her last night during her visit to the inner city, was exposed at her forehead then covered by her blond hair that was hung loosely at neck length. She was glad to be in a fresh Garrison uniform, which would hopefully catch the pairs attention as she approached. 

"Hey you two...where you going?" She asked throwing on a cheesy smile. Her peaked curiosity was more concerned about their actual well being opposed to what they were doing however. "I'm not sure if a trainee should be down here either?" She said before talking off her coat and throwing it at him im hopes that he would put it on. "good thing it's just us Garrison members he right?" Rysa said putting her hand above her eyes and making a searching gesture. She was all about antics when it came to a boring day like today. Better to have a little fun then guard nothing, she thought to herself as she wore a smile of content towards the pair. "Anyway, wherever you all plan on going, mind if I tag along?" She asked looking back at the gate guards who were filing paperwork and sleeping. "I've got nothing better to do." She said happily as she prepared to follow them now coatless with only her red blouse and harness gear beyond that marking her as some type of soldier. What would an officer think if they saw her now? She thought to herself as she prepared to go to the bar with the pair.

OOC://Hey Tetsu, sorry if I didn't specify this earlier. (Which knowing me, I didn't.) But Connor's not in uniform right now so unless you have met him before it shouldn't be a dead giveaway. OOC://

OCC: well shucks...either way the coat is flying your way! Just ignore the trainee part I suppose XD

Well I really buggered that one up didn't I, sorry...this is why we can't have nice things.

Connor's head turned, once again giving that wary hawk gaze as he heard the feminine voice. He ran a hand over his face as he realized who it was, the teacher from the artillery lesson. 'Please, if there is a God, don't let her bring that up now.' As he removed the hand he was suddenly slammed by a garrison jacket. His arms scrambled to catch it on his body, raising his brow before sighing and taking off his leather jacket which fell with another metallic thunk.

Him trying to put on the Jacket was a rather humorous sight, barely able to get it over his shoulders it was so small. He was larger than the average man so finding a jacket that fit his broad shoulders would be rare assuming it wasn't made especially for him. He sighed and gave up on it, putting his leather jacket back on. "Look, nobody will know alright? And if anyone starts asking questions, I'm a blacksmith's son." He often used this bluff whenever he was somewhere he wasn't supposed to, and it often worked, he did have the rough hands for it.

By this time he was already getting his arm tugged by Kora as she mentioned her favorite place. "As long as it doesn't attract the angry kind. For some reason, drunks like to pick fights with me."

"Alright, whatever you say kiddo." She said smiling widely as she followed the pair at the rear so that they could have their space. "Do where do you all plan to go exactly?" She asks pretty much absorbed in her own thoughts as she would willingly follow the pair. Their business wasn't with her; however, she was more then happy to butt in and make sure that no one got into trouble. That is what friends were for right? She asked herself as she quietly allowed them to go where they would.

[sorry for the long wait, illness has been kicking my butt]