[FIN] Rather Blank [Kari]

[Lucca]

Felix snorted dismissively. "Responsibility is one of those things that's most definitely overrated," he stated, confident in this fact. As if to add to the point, the bartender brought out the next drink, and Felix gulped it down.

The bartender eyed the three of them with some amusement. "Tryin' ta get plastered 'afore closing time, are we?" He shook his head, not really caring as long as they paid their tab, and went back to get more drinks for the customers.

Felix just flashed the bartender a thumbs up, and then nearly choked on his drink as Rose continued to rag on Forge. He was glad, now, that the other man had come. This was turning into a very interesting night, even if the bar wasn't exactly hip and happening right now. Of course, that could be the drink talking. Even the dullest nights could be made livelier with proper application of alcohol.

"Aw, but you're adding a lot to the conversation," the Porcupine protested with only half seriousness. Besides, his mind was blanking on what exactly would be a good topic of conversation. Maybe it would be a good time to ask Rose for another story?

[Kari Muffin]

Forge lowered his voice, "I just don't want to die. She can hit pretty hard, and if we walk by an oak tree heaven only knows if she'll slap me with it or not."

Rosemary rolled her eyes and waved over the bartender. She whispered something into his ear, he nodded, and walked away again. Rosemary had a very smug look on her face. "Yeah, I can hit terribly hard, but I wouldn't hit him unless he was a complete stranger in a bar fight."

She finished off the last of her new beer, a smile on her face.

After a few moments the bar tender returned with three shot glasses, offering one to each of them. For Rosemary's he pulled out a match book and set it ablaze. She jumped a bit in surprise, even if she had requested it. "I think we should have a toast, to a rather fantastic closing to a good and successful night."

She picked up the drink and blew it out before drinking.

[Lucca]

"An oak tree?" Felix looked blank for a moment, until he remembered...Rose was a Club! They had those nifty...random abilities that had to do with metals or plants or dirt or whatever. Comprehension lit up his eyes and he grinned. "Oh, I have no doubt she could do quite a bit of damage if she wanted to." He raised an eyebrow at Rose, almost suggestively, though whether he meant it that way was a bit hard to tell, even for the Porcupine himself.

The return of the bartender though, bearing three shot glasses with something strong in them (Felix's nose wrinkled on reflex, though his face showed nothing but curiosity) was enough to merit his full attention. "Whoa!" he cried out as Rose's glass was lit on fire, but this was quickly followed by a large grin. "Groovy." Of course he'd toast to that! His dexterous paw grabbed up the shot glass and moved it to clink against the edge of both Forge's and Rosemary's before drinking, tilting his head back in such a way that his quills caught the light.

It had, indeed, been a good night in the Porcupine's book, and he felt lucky to have met both Forge and Rose. If he had a few more drinks like that, he was sure he'd be telling them so. Complete with sobbing and clinging.

He let out a satisfied breath, setting his glass back onto the bar. "Yeah, that sure hit the spot!"

[Kari Muffin]

Quite a bit of damage huh? Rosemary raised an eyebrow at the comment. She wasn't particularly sure how to take that either. With a small shrug she she brushed it off and went back to thinking about her cheers.

Warm and tingly, more so than usual. She set the glass down with a smile. She wasn't particularly drunk yet. Maybe a little bit buzzed. She glanced at the clock... closing time was terribly soon. "Yep," Rosemary said after a moment. "And I think that was a great way to end the evening."

Forge was generally amused by the flaming drink, though once it was blown out and the cheer was made he focused on his own. It burned a bit, like hard alcohol always seemed to do. He set the glass down with a smile. "Good time, but I suppose all good times have to come to an end."

[Lucca]

"Yep!" Felix agreed, smiling brightly...until he realized the implications of that statement, and his face fell slightly, ears drooping. A great way to end the night...meaning this was over. Meaning soon he'd have to push himself off of the stool and out of the bar and find somewhere to crash for the night. Meaning that he'd have to say goodbye to Rose and Forge. It was a sobering thought for the only slightly-tipsy Porcupine, but, as with most things, he didn't want to let it get him down for too long.

"That's true, man...I hope that this isn't the last time I'll see you guys, though! It's been fun!" He smiled, swinging around to face them, still a bit reluctant to actually get out...though out of the corner of his eyes he noticed the bartender glancing at the old, slightly dusty clock that hung behind the bar. He knew how that went. They were gonna get kicked soon if they didn't leave on their own...

[Kari Muffin]

Rosemary pulled out her money to pay both her tab, Forges, and a bit of Felix's. She glanced at the porcupine. "You need to cover the rest, otherwise I won't be able to pay the rent this month."

That was hardly true considering she was able to sell quite a few articles to the newspaper. And there was the book money she had gotten, even if it wasn't as much as she would have helped. One day she was going to write something amazing, it was just a matter of time.

"Ah, you're so sweet Rose. Your Aunt would probably scream at you for paying so much of the tab." Forge said with a smile. He turned to Felix. "See you some other time, just stop off at the cafe that Rose likes to preform at and you'll probably run into me too."

Rosemary nodded in agreement. "It's the one place I like to frequent, so if we have a chance of meeting again you'll find me there." She almost wobbled when she stood up. Forge moved to her side for support. "It's been a blast."

[Lucca]

Oh, right, the money! He'd practically forgotten about it. That wouldn't have been good. He blinked when he saw how much of the tab Rose had paid, pulling out his own coin purse. "Wow...thanks, Rose! That's real swell of ya." He counted the remaining coins on the bar to pay for the rest, trying not to fumble them. He was almost disappointed at how easily the motions came. Should he go finish getting drunk solo? No...judging by how light his purse was now, it would probably be a better idea to just buy a cheap room at a hotel and get some sleep.

Finally, the Porcupine stood up, stumbling just a bit, but catching himself on a chair. He waved to Forge and Rose, though they were still only a few feet away. "Ten-four. Sounds like a plan." On an impulse (or it could be because he stumbled again when he tried to move for the door) Felix lurched toward Rose, trying to grab her into a clumsy hug.

Even then, he was careful not to let any of his quills so much as touch her; he knew how uptight some Cards got about that. He pulled back with a grin and waddled to the exit, also waving to the bartender. "It's been real. Real...good night." It wasn't quite clear who he was talking to, now. Perhaps he was a bit less sober than he'd thought.

[Kari Muffin]

Oh drunken hugs were the best. Rosemary hugged him back carefully so she wouldn't poke herself or anything. She was fairly certian that porcupine quills were dangerous. Getting one in her arm was probably a bad idea. She let go with a smile and waved at him.

She leaned on Forge a bit more as she watched the Porcupine waddle out. "See ya," she said cheerfully before leaning her head on her weapon's shoulder.

Forge waved when he had the chance. Now he had to practically carry the wolf back to her apartment. At least it wasn't as far away as last time. And at least she had her bipedal form this time. It was always hard to get her home when she was in her animal form.

"Well, looks like we made a good friend this time."

She snorted and snuggled up against him as they started walking. "Yeah, hopefully he finds a nice place to stay the night."