Meribia Mansion: Rabastan Needs Some Advice

[gorgonfondness]

Meribia, the city of freedom.

As such, Master Mel has an open door policy. Meribia Mansion has guards on standby, but they offer friendly smiles and invite others in.

But Meribia is a big city. And there are other people with inviting smiles, the lovely ladies at Ramus's shop. Thanks to Draco, it's one of the only shops around that offers Wizarding sweets...

Comments

[iambetadraconis]

Rabastan smiles. And someone might've lost a bet.

Wrinkling his nose at how aromatic he's become he whips out his wand and cleans off before grabbing the semi-cape.

"Beer sounds good."

[gorgonfondness]

Bah, that's the smell of being a man!

"Keep an eye on him, would you Rabastan?" Mel asks. "Or Jessica will be out after him."

[iambetadraconis]

Yeah and his senses are keener now, so stay downwind.

"I don't think that'll be a problem with me around to deflect attention."

Maybe he is getting to like the idea?

[gorgonfondness]

"Well, look who thinks he's pretty," Kyle says as they make their way out into the city.

[iambetadraconis]

"What? Me? Well, It's not too bad. I mean, the changes."

Fluster.

Meanwhile, few yards off a trio of young women are smiling at them. The youngest whispers to her friends, "The skinny one isn't too bad", which Rabastan is surprised he can hear.

"I may not be the only one who approves."

[gorgonfondness]

"I guess the ladies like the skinny look now."

Kyle figures there's some portion of the population attracted to the skinny wizards. How else do they make more skinny wizards, after all?

The cool spray of the ocean blows near them as they approach the Seagull Tavern. Once they open the door, they hear the previously-contained raucous celebration and are greeted by one of the bunny waitresses.

"Hey hun, hey stud," she greets them. "What can we do for you?"

[iambetadraconis]

It's possible that some people are, though the rest of the Lestrange clan was not nearly this thin. Rodolphus himself had a beater's build, just like their father. And mother would be what TV Tropes calls "Hollywood pudgy".

Only the youngest, and these days it's down to a hyper metabolism.

Rabastan turns a little pink when the waitress gives him a wink.

"Have they managed to introduce Meribia to the joys of fish and chips yet?"

[gorgonfondness]

"Oh yeah, you're Master Draco's uncle, aren'tcha? We'll fix you right up, sug. And you, Master Kyle?"

"The same and a mug of your finest, sweet thing," Kyle says with a wink himself.

The waitress turns and goes to put their order in, hips swaying to and fro and bunny tail begging for attention.

[iambetadraconis]

Which it most clearly is getting.

So of course he starts when a young lady [he figures she's close to 30] taps him on the shoulder with a "Mind if I join you, sirs?"

"Oh. Um. Sure. I don't mind. You, Kyle?"

[gorgonfondness]

"Y'know, that's probably safer than me sitting by myself," Kyle says, gesturing for the woman to join them. "Now if Jessica shows up, this turns into a double date. That's our cover story, got it?"

[iambetadraconis]

The lady is leaning against Rabastan, hooking one arm through his.

"Of course, sirs. I was thinking of asking this one out anyways." Wink.

Rabastan is just too stunned for words.

[gorgonfondness]

"Wow. They're just throwin' themselves at ya, pal," Kyle says over his beer.

[iambetadraconis]

"Aren't they just?" he muses as his now-date shuffles the chair over to make it easier to lean in on. "I don't think you'll need to worry about Jessi— Ow!" Pause. "Did you just pinch me?"

"Just checking to see if there's any meat on your bones."

[gorgonfondness]

Kyle has a good laugh at that and goes, "We're working on that. Can't promise he'll be as muscular as me though, honey bunch, but I got a feeling that won't bother you."

[iambetadraconis]

"Oh no; not at all," the woman says huskily and with promise. "I like 'em lean and limber. More flexible, y'see. "

The room just got a lot warmer, as a buzzing starts in his ears.

[gorgonfondness]

"I'm getting less worried about what'll happen to me and more worried about what'll happen if I leave you kids alone."

[iambetadraconis]

...the buzzing isn't going away...

"What, you think little ol' me would hurt your friend?" She bats her eyes. "I wouldn't hurt a soul." Leaning in, she adds, "I'm Elea. What's your name, darling?"

Miraculously, he manages to say it.

[gorgonfondness]

"I'm sure you'll be gentle as a lamb with Rabastan, honeybomb," Kyle says, taking a healthy swig of beer.

[iambetadraconis]

"Oh, I will," Elea purrs.

It sends a prickly sensation down his back.

The next hour sees much thefting of Rabastan's chips, more prickling of his back, more 'this room is hot', and more of that stupid buzzing.

"You're awfully sweet. You should spend more time here in Meribia, not Vane."

Someone's hoping there'll be a Jessica intervention happening soon.

[gorgonfondness]

"Hey," Kyle eventually says, words slightly slurred and a hand on Rabastan's shoulder.

The hand is firmer than the slurring would imply.

"I think we should go. The wife's spectin' me back an' Rabastan's m'guest."

[iambetadraconis]

So much for Jessica, but the intervention isn't unwelcome.

"Oh... Can't I come with you?" She puts on her prettiest pout.

A tension spot seems to be forming somewhere about his third eye, which isn't being helped by the drink.

"T'night? T'morrow? Iunno."

"When?" She's got a hold on his semi-cape, a 'please give me an answer' hold.

"T.. T'morrow. 'M feelin' funny. Need sl... Sl... Bed. Then vis't."

"Promise?"

"Yeah. Pir'miz."

"Wonderful! We can meet here again tomorrow and then you can spend time at my place."

Rabastan feels like he sobered up too fast. Way too fast.

"Righ'."

[gorgonfondness]

Kyle leads Rabastan out with a friendly wave to the tavern and a well-choreographed stumble.

But once they're away from the harbor, he straightens up and drops his act, keeping an eye on Rabastan.

[iambetadraconis]

For Rabastan, it's not that much of an act. He's no further in his cups than Kyle was—a little less, considering Elea's distractions.

But something's not right. He's been intoxicated before, and after all this time living here on Lunar the friends and relations of the Ausas should have seen him drunk at least once.

But tonight something is, well...

Something is off.

He's rubbing at his temples, and that rough breathing sounds...

Rather feral.

[gorgonfondness]

"What's going on, Rabastan?" Kyle asks, his earlier playful demeanor gone.

[iambetadraconis]

He can just barely hear Kyle over the droning.

"What did they put in that beer?" Pause. "I'm just ... gonna sit ... here..."