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Having sat down, Daos sets his staff against the wall and allows himself a slight smile. "I would be delighted to join you. Two minds are better than one, and we are going the same direction for the same purpose anyway. Plus, I cannot turn down the opportunity for some intellectual conversation on the way, even if this whole thing turns out to be an elaborate con-man's scheme."

Glancing briefly over to Angel, he added, "Assuming your armed guards don't object. Takes her job seriously, doesn't she?" he asks softly.

"I would not have it any other way, would you? My man Hiric is steadfast, but he is no warrior."

Daos nods in understanding. "These are dangerous times, I agree. Perhaps I might hire my own men-at-arms once I have procured some more coin. Although I've never been very good at leading or giving orders," he admits as an afterthought.

"No trouble on the road so far, I hope?" he asks.

"I myself have little experience with mercenaries, but we're one day into our journey, and they seem alright."

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The barman in this case, is a woman, and a fairly old one at that. She's wide and sturdy, with a pleasant smile and iron-grey hair pulled back onto a pony tail.

"You men don't look like tea drinkers, so it's beer, or mead, or red wine or white. And we have blue john, if your tastes run that way. Or are you looking for something harder?"

"Blue John? I can't say that I've ever heard of that! Why not two glasses....." Angel walks up to the bar and sits down near Bastian "...make that three glasses of the Blue for myself and my friends!"

Angel sits down gently, her Longsword resting against her leg.

"Blue John, I don't think I have heard of such a thing..." Pausing she eyes the glass for a second.. She had two choices, return to the table alone, or stay.

"I will have one glass, so I can keep a clear head."

Daos' pointed ears twitch slightly at hearing snippets of the conversation over at the bar. Glancing over toward Angel and Bastion, he mutters, "Blue John? Isn't that slang for...?" The wizard shrugs. Oh, well. None of his business anyway, he figures.

Turning his attention back to the necromancer, he says, "So, Master Fraso, have you learned any new and interesting spells since we last crossed paths? I've recently encountered a fascinating evocation that allows one to conjure a blade of ice that shatters on impact, spreading waves of numbing cold over the target..," he explains, droning on about arcane matters.

Three mugs of Blue John arrive. It is indeed blue - well pale blue(-ish) - in color, and thicker than milk, and...carbonated, oddly enough. The taste is sour but palatable, with a strong flavor of blueberries. There is a hint of alcohol in it, not very strong, though.

An expert at all things alcohol-related, Bastian recognizes it instantly, or at least recognizes the base liquid it is made from.
[OOC] PM sent - Ish can decide whether to tell the others what he knows. [/OOC]

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"Interesting. I have not been doing much spell research of late. My efforts have been of a more historical nature. Would you believe..." Fraso begins to drone on about some inconsequential matters of genealogy

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The activity in the pub increases as the evening progresses. The adventurers keep mostly to themselves, not looking for trouble and not getting any, either, for they look fairly competent.

Bastian smiles and accepts all three mugs of the blue liquid. He glances to his companions on either side and winks conspiratorially. "I must first bless the drink! It's for our continued safety on this journey!" [OOC - using my class ability "In Vino Veritas"]

Angel sniffs the drink carefully (once Bastian has "Blessed" it) then she takes a small sip, watching Bastian and Ellias before she sips anymore.

"Hmm... Blueberries..." she mutters...

Elias tips his drink back and without stopping, downs the whole thing, some of the drink running down his chin.

"Didn't realize how thirsty I was. Not half bad," he says, smacking his lips. He runs a hand over his mouth to wipe his face clean. "One more, gentlewoman, if you please."

"Next rounds on me," he says to Bastian and Angel. "If you're still thirsty."

Angel sips the drink, the taste is not unpleasant, bravely she sips some more. (she's not scared of the drink, more insecure spending time with virtual strangers).
Tipping back the drink she slams the glass on the bar."You know this is the longest time i have spent with anyone in years"

"So you've been spending time with a bunch of minute-men, eh?" Bastian retorts. When the joke falls flat, he changes the conversation. "So what do you think about this mission, eh? I'm pretty sure I'm simply a figure head for the church, but a paid trip is a paid trip, right?" Bastian watches his companions out of the corner of his eye as he takes a drink.

"I....I... Don't talk to people much." She stammered..
"As for our mission, we are here to defend Master Fraso, from what I simply don't know..." Seeing his look, she continues. "Either Fraso is expecting a problem, or he is very safety conscious, why he needs us all is a mystery."

She knocks back the second glass (assuming it arrives) and smiles weakly.
"So Master Bastian, why are you here? A figurehead you say...?"

"Yes, you certainly seem more like a person for action rather than words!" Bastian says with a conspiratorial wink. "And, yes, I am a figurehead. I'm here to show that the church is concerned, but not overly worried. I am.....out of favor, shall we say. You would think that a future Priestess of Bacchus would want some education in the ways of 'creative ecstasy' but it seems that her position in the priesthood was contingent upon her maidenhead." Bastian follows this revelation by draining his cup. "It certainly doesn't help that she was a Senator's daughter, either!" Bastian, chuckles to himself and says with a smile, "So, what's you're story?"