Why had Arlen let Phineas talk him into this, a drinking contest, raw constitution against constitution, drink for drink and belch for belch, that was the contest, of course Arlen knew exactly what happened when too much alcohol was consumed.
The senses and most importantly the mind began to dull.

Arlens whole personality was about being at one with his mind, how he could further advance it and make himself stronger intellectually and thus capable of casting more spells, this whole game seemed like a detrement to such an endevour.

"How ever did i allow you to get me to do this!?"

But even Arlen thought he deserved a rest from all the constant travelling he had been doing, Phineas had been a good companion on the road, he may aswell enjoy the pleasures that Phineas enjoyed whilst he could, he knows, he may end up dead tommorow.

Swinging the tavern door open, he looked at the patrons with contempt, he'd been here before and those that were there then still seemed to linger where they had been all that time ago, still under a thick haze of acrid smoke.
"You first"

This was great. Phineas couldn't believe he had done this. He took great pride in the fact that he had convinced his rather uptight companion into a dirnking contest. Personally, Phineas felt that a drinking contest would do the Wizard much good in the ways of nerves. Though their various travels had molded the Wizard into a slightly different person than the one Phineas met in the swamp of the forest. But still, he maintained a nervous, slightly formal manner that Phineas did not appreciate.

He smiled as they entered the bar, their grandeur and slight arrogance coming into play. The drunks and losers made sneers and gestures that cannot be written of, but those were easily ignorable. The dynamic duo headed over to the bar. He nodded to the bartender. "You first," came the Wizard's voice. "I will with pleasure," replied Phineas, grinning.

He ordered two ales from the bartender. He gripped the first, before turning to the Wizard. "This little episode we are about to expirience is a toast to our travels." he began, "And," he added, tapping a pack full of scrolls that Phineas had been carrying, "To our maps!" he said, giving a short chuckle as he did. He raised the mug to his crusty lips and drank thirstily. Within ten seconds the vessel was empty. He sighed with joy and turned to his comrade. "Your turn, my good friend,"

It was good to have a comrade. Phineas did not realize until now how much help it was. Company was good. It preserved sanity, amongst other thiings. Infact, Phineas had learned so much about having companions from this past month that he had an idea formulating in his mind, something brewing, in a slightly sinister manner. He turned to his gaze to the Wizard. "Y'know," he siad, nodding to the Bartender as it filled up his mug, "Y'know, I'd like to pitch an idea to ya, mate,"

The bar was crawling with every sort of scum that Arda had, it wasnt Arlens favourite place to visit, he detested this bar, but for some reason or another Phineas had dragged him back here.

Arlen looked at the unclean glasses that held the even more unclean liquid that was apparently ale, gingerly grabbing the glass for fear of disease.
He looked at the beer then at Phineas, who was throwing it down his throat with reckless abandon, following suit he placed the glass to his lips and allowed the beer to pass over its threshold.
It took a while for Arlen to drink it, utterly disgusted in its taste but he drank it all the same.

"Oh lord, how much more of this stuff must i drink?

Placing the glass back on the equally dirty bar, he looked at the bar keep.

"Two more and make the glasses clean, a foreign concept to you i guess but id do it, unless i decide to burn down your establishment or turn you some insect and keep you in a jar!

Smiling at Phineas, he patted him on the shoulder, the beer had eased the feeling of travel from him already, and he felt strangely elated, it was affecting him already, not really a heavy drinker he awaited the next round.

Phineas grinned widely at Arlen's unease. He could tell that the lack of hygiene was concerning the Wizard a fair deal. Phineas had purposely brought him to such an outlet to celebrate the character's slight morph into a tougher, less "prissy" man. He thought this would be something like a "final test", that would insure the transformation's success. The bar was indeed a rough little place, with an occasional Orc causing quite the bar fight, sometimes Phineas a particpant.

The night was young and Phineas knew that in due time they'd be discussing his idea with the haze of intoxication clouding their minds. Perhaps this would convince his companion to consider, if not agree to, Phineas's slightly farout proposal. If his plan was to indeed play out, it would be a definite occasion for drinking. He could feel that that particular night was going to be one of achievements. He paryed mentally that, even with his sloppy presentation, the idea would seem appealing to his comrade.

He watched with a chuckle sprawled across his face as the Wizard downed his own mug of ale. Phineas found it quite the sight. After adventuring with the man, he knew that he wouldn't like such a powerful liquid, but the effects of alcohol would come into play. He grinned widely again as the Wizard patted him on the back. Yes he thought, They aredefinitely into play,

He turned to his second mug, which the bartender had just refilled. The vile beverage sat in its equally vile vessel, beckoning Phineas. He picked it up with enthusiasm, and gulped down his second mug easily. He swallowed, sighing, satisfied. It was definitely going to be a long night.

He felt awfully cheery, his disposition moved from disdain to glee as he watched Phineas brawl with the patrons, between the drink, indeed it was a comical sight, such raw primal instincts brought out from drinking a simple beverage.
Throwing the next drink down his throat he cracked out a laugh.

"You know Phineas, i was thinking you were the scum of the earth turns out, your not so bad after all.
To Phineas an' Arlen.
Men of Fortune!

Patting Phineas on the back he called for more ale from the barkeep, his tongue definatly loose, it was only his second mug but it had hit him hard and fast and showed no sign of relenting anytime soon.

"So what you wan..."

His sentance cut short by a patron yelling profanaties at him and his companion, Arlens head turned around quickly, his eyes bright with fire of anger at the one who dared to even speak their names, and in a tone of dislike too.
Who was it that they presumed themselves too be?
No Arlen wasnt happy.
Not happy at all!

Phineas turned to the group who had intruded on his good time. When choosing such a bar, he did not take into consideration that they might run tino such trouble as this, and it looked like he should've. It wasn't completely rare for this to happen, but it wasn't common either, and it didn't make him happy at all. It had to be one of the worse timed barfights in Phineas's life.

His smile slowly turned to a frown, his eyes squinting at the intruders with a threatening glare. His brow furrowed, like a rattlesnake signalling to its enemies that they were too close for comfort. He placed his mug down slowly, turning his body to face them. His attention focused on the orc in the middle, who appeared to be the highlight of the problem. Phineas shed his overcoat, revealing light clothes with a bit of armor. He grimaced, thinking of the bad turn the night had taken, before reaching for his scimitar.

"You'll regret this, boys," he said hoarsley. He drew his weapon with a flurry, a zing of metal on metal silencing the now-crowded bar. Everyone's attention had turned to the group in the middle, where things were about to get rough. Phineas turned to his comrade, nodding, the alcohol not nearly enough to effect his combatant ability. He readied himself, moving into an offensive stance, and gritting his teeth. In a flash he swung at the orc, kicking out at the second, a small elf with a mace. He made contact with the elf, sending him flying into the bar. The orc he had less luck with. His blow was parried with ease.

He backed off to regain control, just as the third character, a human with a shortsword, swung hard towards him. He raised his own weapon just in time to block to the blow. He responded by shoving his own sword hard forwar,d knocking the human off balance. He then broght his leg swining upward, making contact with the human's chest. The huma flew backwards. the orc was the only immediate problem. He turned for the Wizard for help.

The brawl had soon escalated, and the odds were not in their favour, the opponants of course, the elf, orc and human had no idea what they were about to come up against, even a drunken Wizard such as Arlen could have his uses, though he may not be able to immolate his foes or conjure up golems to destroy them, what he could do was this.
Turning in a flash he grabbed Phineas's old mug in his hands, and spun back on himself, the mug soaring through the air past Phineas's ear and into the face of the orc, glass shattered across the immediate area, some of which hit the tiny elf with the mace, both warriors looked shocked.

A third pint of Ale in Arlens hands, he grinned at his companion as he begun to drink his next tankard.
"Didnt expect that did you!?"
Walking over to the orc he took him by the coller, the orc still dazed and confused by what had happed, where Arlen smashed his own head into the forehead of the bloody orc.
As he pulled his head back, remains of the orcs blood remained on his face.
"Your up Phineas!"

Phineas watched, with slight interest in his method, as the Wizard dished out his several attacks. He found it most entertaining. There was almost a comedic factor to how he worked. Phineas laughed as the mug was sent flying into the orcs face. It was graceful. As it smashed, Phienas coldn't help but give a wicked grin. This was the way to roll.

He readied himself again for combat as the Wizard said "You're up," He charged at the Human, sticking a foot out infront of him. He then forced the human over it, throwing him to the ground painfully. He stamped on the head of the opponent, knocking it out effectivley. He then turned angrily to the other two, raising his scimitar with threatening momentum.

He twirled forward, slicing out at the orc as it was still dazed. He got a piece of its arm, forming a long gash across its elbow. The orc howled with rage, snapping out of its daze. It picked up a bar stool and swung it clumsily at Phineas. Phineas lowered himself onto his knees, ducking the furniture easily. He lunged forward again, but this time the Elf was too quick. It deflected Phineas's lunge with its mace. Phineas temporarily lost balance, before regaining it quickly. He swung his weapon down on the elf, who just barely deflected the second blow. In return Phineas slammed his knee into its gut, sending it into a fit of pain. He turned to the orc, who was charging.

Phineas again lashed out, this time howling with a alcohol-induced rage. He sliced a second gash across the animal's stomach. "Aha!" he shouted, his face full with glee. He proceeded to kick the Orc hard in the chest, sending it to the floor. All three opponents were on the floor now, and Phienas turned to his comrade. "Finish them,"

Clapping his hands together and rubbing them with glee, he downed the remainder of his pint, quite enjoying the mixure of acrid air, disgusting Ale and violence, Arlen could get used to this quite easily.

Arlen grabbed an empty table, he wasnt a skinny man for a wizard, though by definition he should be, the constant sibling rivalry forced him to better himself in many areas than just the mind, and the body helped defend himself from his siblings in a non magical way.
The small round table came up with ease, using the momentum of the swing upwards he let it go into the air, the table sailing ungracefully upwards then plumeted sharply down onto the unconcious man, Patrons jumped out of the way as debris from the table scattered about the room.

Grabbing an splint from the table, Arlen took to the Orcs head with a savage rage, blood poored from the beasts nose, though he wanted something heavier, dropping the wood he took hold of the Elf's mace and gave the elf a kick hard in the ribs and rammed the mace into the Orcs cranium repeatedly.
Though unbeknownst to Arlen the elf had taken the wood in his hands and flung himself across the floor straight for the back of Arlens leg, with a great howl of pain Arlen turned on the elf, falling to the floor himself and begun to play a terrible rhythm on his body with his own mace.
"Never much liked elves" Arlen cried, gasping for air to take away the pain.

Phineas watched with a sparkle of amusement in his eyes as the Wizard downedh is last pint. He appeared to be a completely different person in the bar than he did on the road. It was actually quite a funny sight. He observed with curiousity as the man seized the table, and raised his eyebrows as he dropped it on the unconcious man.

When the Wizard unloaded on the Orc, and Phineas spotted the sneaking elf, he drew his scimitar, ready to help his comrade out. But it appeared to be too late as the elf attacked the Wizard with rage. Phineas acted quickly, sheathing his scimitar and diving headfirst into the elf, sending him and the elf flying into a wall. The elf quickly scrambled up, his height becoming useful. Phineas reached up towards him, grabbing the elf's neck and swinging his back down to the gorund. He unleashed a barrage of punches. At one point he was pretty sure he heard the crack of the small creature's jaw, and it was at that moment he stopped. He rose, gave the elf one more good kick, and walked away.

He returned to the Wizard's side, grinning. "Oi," he said simply, "Lets get back to those drinks, eh?"

Still laying on the floor next to the either lifeless or unconcious bodies of his foes, the latter was probably more likely, Arlen gripped at his leg, tossing the mace at the skull of the elf.
It was a painful wound, the wood had buried itself into his leg, tearing at the elf's shirt sleeve, he managed to form a tight bind to ease the flow of blood and stop it all together.

Grabbing Phineas by the arm he pulled himself up and eased some weight of his own leg, eager to sate his thirst with another drink.
"Ive got some pain to ease away now merc, im not stopping anytime soon

Hobbling over to the bar, Patrons cleared out of the way for both of them, as Arlen leant on the bar.
The bar keep had seemingly never moved faster than to serve these two now, instantly pulling out another two glasses, the ale's head frothing over the top of the mug and onto the already ale stained bar.
Taking his glass in his hand he raised it up into the air, a couple of patrons who saw what the wizard did last time he grabbed a glass, ducked but Arlen only laughed at them.

To us Phineas...Mate!

Indeed, Arlen was no proud to call Phineas his friend, the pair had gone beyond simple aquaintances, the pair had stepped into one anothers brawls, something that isnt done if you only just know someone.
No, Arlen found himself his first friend in Arda.

Phineas grinned as he helped his comrade up. He winced a tiny bit from his collision with the wall during the scuffle, but threw it off within seconds. He was quite excited at the idea of returning to the bar. He strolled over, lowered himself into a stool, and snatched up a mug, eyeing it. He nodded cheerfully as Arlen made the toast.

"Indeed, to us. I think we will make a good pair...So, to the profit ahead!" he said hoarsley, raising his mug high and slamming it into Arlen's own. The beer spilleed a bit onto the bar, but Phineas payed no mind. He then gulped it down, completely forgetting about the drinking contest. He snapped his fingers once he was done, signalling for another mug. The bartender responded with an unsually quick scurry towards the barrels, quickly replenishing the vessel.

Phineas downed it a second time. It tasted good, always, to have a good ale after a fight. He swished in his mouth rudely before swallowing. He scratched his beard slightly, and turned to Arlen. "So, my good friend, I 'ave a proposal for you. What do you say we form a band! A little group. A brigade. Brigand. Whatever. We'll gather people loike us, and do mercenary work. Think o' the profit," he said, the words spilling otu of his slightly-tipsy head clumsily.

This was an idea he had been formulating in his head for a long time. His mind mainly thought of it as a great oppurtunity for profit, a group of mercenaries who would rake in gold with their excellent performance. He finished up his mug on the thought, grinning to himself and to his newfound friend.

The beer sloshed about in the dirty vessal, but it flowed freely between the pair of them, they had come through for one another in the bar and now they were drinking to their companionship, what a day it had been.
Putting the mug to his lips he tipped the liquid back into his mouth and took a hefty swig before swallowing the contents, no longer did it taste foul like dirty water but now like some holy ambrosia that seemed to quench every part of Arlens thirst fully.

Though he still winced whenever pressure was applied to the injured leg, he could feel some debris from the wood still remains in his would, but he would address that later.
A second mug came to Arlen attention, but then his eyes were taken away from the mug as Phineas spoke, and so his ears became ever more alert, he lifted the mug and listened intently to Phineas.
He wanted to form a band of mercenaries to gain more wealth for the collective group, seemed a plausable plan.
"Think of the Wealth we could accumlate..."
The thought was unpleasing to Arlen, with all the money he could gain more resources to spend upon sacred tomes and ancient texts and further his magical advancements.
Indeed, it was a great idea, the idea of money soon translated to the idea of knowledge.

It was hard to find an ancient tome without proper funding, but with money he could aquire whatever he wanted after all.
"Im in" was all he had to say as he tapped his own mug against Phineas's.
There was going to be a new order about the place so it seemed.
"And what would you have a wizard do amongst thieves and braggarts?"

Phineas watched eagerly as the bartender hastily filled up something around his 6th mug of ale. The liquid appealed to him immensley as his aches grew, and as his merriness swelled. His worries of the previous day's trivial troubles appeared to slip away in hid mind, fading into nothing under the influence of the ale, which was having an increasing effect on his attiude with no sign of stopping. He picked up the mug happily, and held it in the air. "To 'appiness," he said hoarsley.

He tilted his head back and poured it down his throat eagerly. It completely quenched the newfound thirst derived so easily and distastefully from the intense barfight he had just expirienced. He slammed the mug back down, already emptying half of it. The liquid sloshed around with the impact of hitting the bar.

Phinas turned, a bit tipsy now, to his equally alohol-effected companion. "S, you like the idea then?" he asked, gulping down the second half of his beverage from its mug. When he placed it back down and listened to the Wizard's question. "Eh? What would you amongst 'em? You could become one!!" he laughed loudly.

It was indeed true. The Wizard appeared to be more and more like Phineas and less the like the timid self he had been when they met in the bog.

The alcohol was clearly affecting Arlen more than Phineas, not really a heavy drinker he could feel himself beginning to sway as he stood at the bar, trying to hold his momentum straight he replied back to Phineas.
"So, what im meanin' is that whats a wizard to do with a bunch of thieves and the likes, i mean, not like im gonna be particually useful in any events, unless you want yourselves makin invisible or people paralysing and stuff..."

His mind was obviously dulled, he couldnt hear himself properly or he knew he would be very useful in such instances, but he felt like he would be useless for a bunch of thieves.
"I cant be goin' round the place and sneaking like you can, or menacing everyone like you can, i mean someone as pretty as me asking for someones gold...come on."
He rubbed his face with his hands, his bald head scarred by the many old tattoo lines he had used to hold some secret magics.

"But id definatly be good at advice, i know that, im good at advice, aye...ye, You need some advice come to Arlen, after all, where theres a wiz theres a Way! HURRAH!
He cried, his mug being raised with particular vigour into the air then back down to his mouth where he drank the last drops.
Slamming it down on the bar, the bottom of the glass cracked under the impact, Arlen turned to face the bartender and begun to scream profanities at him for some more Ale, complaining that he was parched from the fight and in pain and deserved faster services.
The bartender only yelled back about being a drunken idiot and complaining that they had destroyed far more than they bought with their coins, still the ale kept coming.
"Some people, eh"