((Logged 2/3/01)) The Lucky Avenue Bar Casske is hunched over the bar, quite possibly drunker and more depressed than he'd ever been in his entire life. He lloks up slowly. "Uhh... Ms. Barkeep... person? Can I get another one of these Aquavy drinks? Lithia blinks, wandering over and pulling her chair up. She sits down, directly in front of him and props her elbows on the bartop, resting her head in her hands and just staring right into his face. "...you can..." she says softly, "when you stop calling me barkeep...or ms, for that matter...myname is Lithia." Casske raises an eyebrow, a silly grin on his face. His speech is slurred, and obviously his perception is thrown off. "Hehe... woah, your hair is pretty... gah, better not like you, or you'll sleep with my dad." Casske slowly bangs his head against the table. "Can I have that drink, Lithia?" Lithia tilts her head slightly, raising an eyebrow. "Excuse me? Why the hell would I sleep with your father? What are you...some kind of nutcase?" she's...confused. She stands up quietly, getting the drink and sliding it towards him. Casske chuckles softly. "People... tend to do that... and then there was my mother, but the thing about her, is she's sleep with -anyone-, not just dad. So I guess it makes sense. Mom sleeps with anyone, so dad can't sleep with her, so he sleeps with people I like. See?" Casske chuckles drunkenly and once again slams his head. "That's why he's so strong. He has to run all over the world to steal my girlfriends. That's how he got so strong... it all makes sense..." Lithia blinks, yet again. "...the things these drunks ramble off..." she mutters to herself, just staring at him. Casske groans. "But he sucks. Cause he's... um, sucky. Now me, I'm cool. I'll get all the parts from Ft. Jasper, then get Galia goin', an then I'll win the tourney, and I have more women than I can count. Money, too. Fame. Glory!" Lithia blinks, twitching slightly. (...oh man...that's far too much for him to have just rambled...hrm...) she frowns slightly, sitting in front of him again. "...eh, tell me...what's your name? Casske grins. "Depends. When I'm drunk people call me lamb, when I'm normal people call me Casske, an when I fight, people call me jackass." Lithia can't contain a slight smirk at his joke, though tries not to roll her eyes. "Really? Casske...Casske Klassa?" Casske nods weakly. "I wish I could be Rackl! But no. He had to go an 'die' an everything." Casske once again bangs his head against the table. Lithia frowns, putting her hand on his forhead and pressing back to keep him from banging his head again. "...don't...dont do that, I'm sure the alcohol is killing off enough brain cells..." Casske shakes his head vigorously. "Yeah, s'pose yer right. Hey, I never -did- get that drink. I better, otherwise this headaches gonna catch up to me..." Casske sighs. "I'm scared and tired. Somebody puched a hole in the wall over there, and I hear a scary monster in the sewer. He was cursing and singing a drunken sea shanty." Lithia chuckles dryly "...I suppose you could call that a monster..." she moves the glass that she'd slid towards him to sit directly in front of him. "...this drink?" Casske nods. "Most definately that drink. I once saw a girl get knocked off her feet by just one of those... course, she -was- a rather cheap drunk... hey, I owe how much...? 50 G! Here..." Casske tosses the money to Lithia. Lithia blinks, scrambling somewhat to grab the flying G. "...really..." monotonous and somewhat dry. Casske chuckles and tilts the glass toward him, taking a long drink. "Ah, very good. Mmmm... say, have you seen the colonel lately? I gotta talk with him about... retrofit action on the... minsk nile..." Lithia bites her tounge, trying not to laugh too much, only reminded of the paint. "...yes...I have actually. Last I saw him he was heading off to take a shower...believe it or not... Casske nods. "That's good. He smells funny. So, tell me, what's new here in... DA~ZIL?" Lithia shrugs lightly. "...nothing. This is a dull town, Mr. Sonan. If anything ever happened I'd be quite surprised." she doesn't even realize her slip in names. Casske blinks. "So... nan? I may be drunk, but I know for a fact, I never told you my last name." Casske's eyes narrow. Lithia blinks, glancing around quietly and cursing in her mind. Tough, she merely busies herself with washing glasses, acting as though he'd not said anything. Casske repeats himself. "Look, tell me how you knew the name Sonan." Casske's eyes become dual slits, practically seething with fire. "You're working with -him-, aren't you?" Lithia frowns, simply reverting her appearance to its usual cold, hard stare. "...I do not take orders..." she grits her teeth, her own temper flaring unreasonably for little reason other then being ordered about. Xeero , being a man of excellent timing, walks into the bar at his precise moment. He spots Lithia and Casske rather quickly. Casske chuckles a bit. "I remember you now... that desert woman... you do know, Gebler owns Dazil... and the bar... so the bartender equals Gebler! Therefore, as a second Lieutenant, you are required by profession to tell me. How'd you know that name?" Casske seems to have become more alert and less groggy and drunk. Lithia shakes her head stubbornly. "Then I'll merely quit. I will not take forceful orders from you, or anyone else. Not like I'd be losing much anyways. You wanna know something, ask...but never command me." by this point, she's directly in front of him and perhaps only a foot in distance, just daring him. Xeero sighs softly as he walks further into the bar. He was able to easily hear Casske's and Lithia's arguments from the entrance. "Alright you two, break it up. Much as I'd like to see Joseph flip out cause his bar got trashed again, I don't really want to have to scrape the both of you off the walls either," Casske frowns and stand to meet her. "Listen... Lithia, I -did- ask you. As I recall, you acted as if nothing was said, so I'll try again. Please, tell me, where did you learn the name Sonan?" Casske shoots Xeero a glance. "Ah, the guy who punched me." He suddenly grins. "Just kidding. Nice to see you, Xeero." He turns back to Lithia, awaiting her answer. Lithia glances at Xeero, but neglects to take his warning. "...I'll tell you when I feel you can handle the information. Now sit down and drink your drink, or leave." Xeero sighs softly and then says to Casske, "Trust me, be thankful with the answer you've got," he nods and then says, "And it's good to see you again too Casske, I was kinda worried when you suddenly took off before" Casske sits down angrily. "You're a rather disagreeable woman. Where, may I ask, did you sharpen such a spite? You don't seem to like hearing about rank, either. Not that I blame you, but it seems a bit more extreme in your case." Casske leans back. "Come what may, this ruins my day." Lithia frowns, though seems content enough that he'd backed off. "In Nortune, that's where." she stands up, pacing towards the other side and sitting down again. "Hey Xeero..." not a very cheerful greeting... "Behave yourself long enough and I'll tell you how I know." Xeero sighs and shakes his head a little and sits down at the bar next to Casske, "You two keep this up and I swear I'm gonna have to get a restraining order put on the both of you." Casske chuckles. "Restraining order? What'd I do? I sat down like a good-..." Casske stops, and lowers his gaze, as a faint memory returns to him. "A... good little boy..." Xeero shake shis head and chuckles, "On second thought, maybe you two should have it out and get all of this out of your systems" Casske looks to Xeero sadly. "Nah. I'd rather not fight. What good would it do? I just wanna hear her admit that she -must- know my father. There's no other explanation." Lithia sits quietly, shaking her head. "...you have to swear you won't hurt him...otherwise, I'm not going to say anything." Xeero closes his eyes and sighs softly, "After the events I saw, Casske. It might be best you wait a little while before trying to meet your father, for both your sakes," Casske shakes his head to both Xeero and Lithia at once. "I -want- to meet him. He's my father. Why does everybody want to prevent me from seeing my own father? I'm not planning on hurting him, I'm just being cautious. I understand he's a very static guy, and has been referring to me as something of a posession. I don't like that. And if he tries to take me by force, then yes. I will hurt him. Otherwise, no. Take my answer as what you wish." Lithia frowns, sighing and remaining in the corner and...appears almost as if she's sulking. "...then hang around Dazil for a while..." Xeero sighs and says to Casske and says, "Casske, in this case the only reason why I ask you wait is because, well...let's just say Joseph pulled a bonehaded stunt that undoubtedly pissed your father off. Giv it a couple days and like Lithia said, hang around Dazil and you'll meet him soon enough" Casske blinks. "A boneheaded stunt? If Joseph's been bugging him... damn, I dunno who to side with... a father I've never met... or an unscrupulous man I know all too well... hmm... what -stunt-? Please, I need to know..." Lithia remains quiet for now, not quite sure how Xeero knows what happened...she didn't see him today...did she? Casske 's expression is rather blank. "That shouldn't suprise me as much as it does. Sounds right up Joe's alley. I can't hardly wait till I'm higher than a colonel, so I can come back and flaunt it in his face. If there's one thing I've seen he never opposes, it's rank." Casske groans. "So how'd this happen? He must be pretty stupid to just let an enemy colonel give him an injection. Even a backstab, he shouldn't of had his back turned." Lithia frowns at Casske, well...glaring at him, more or less. "...Who cares..." she dismisses it, almost defensivly but her expression turns to a clear and smug smirk. "Yes well the bugger is now green. Damn fool tripped and got paint all over himself...got the bucket stuck on his head, too. walked into a few walls, it was bloody amusing." sometimes arrogant, sometimes rude, sometimes cold...does she ever pick a personality trait and stick with it? Xeero laughs a little at lithia and then says to Casske, "He basically insulted joseph's pride and then was dumb enough to turn his back and trust a fat unwashed colonel" he shrugs a little Casske blinks. "Great. He's strong and dim..." Casske, while not quite as abrasively as Lithia, is equally insulting. His moods are swinging like crazy. Here he is, practically acting like a little child searching for hiss daddy, then insulting him, never even having met him. Xeero sighs and shakes his head and says, "It's bad form Casske, to make fun of someone you haven't met" Casske swears. "I don't... I... grr... I mean...I..." Casske keeps stammering. The door swings open, as a gust of cold, night air blows into the tavern. Makkani walks in. He's truly a sight to behold. His hair chopped and mangled, his head slightly bleeding, and a scowl on his face. More a sight, though is his clothing. (ignore his desc). Obviosuly, his clothes were ruined in the sewer, but it looks like he wandered into the worst place possible. He's wearing a bright orange poncho with brown cowboy style pants, and his regular belt with equipment. Xeero looks over his shoulder as the door opens. He doesn't recognize makkani at first, but after a few moments he does and blinks. He mutters somehting in that other language of hi Makkani turns his head slowly, till he lays eyes on the man who just walked in the door. An almost slow motion look of shock appears on his face. "N... now what?" He stares at the bizzare man, a sinking feeling creeping up on him. Lithia blinks, glancing over at the door. "..." she doesn't say anything, simply bites her lip not sure whether to laugh, he does look rather odd...introduce him...what to do, what to do. She stands up quietly, wandering to the edge of the bar. "...that's not a good look for you, Makki..." she raises an eyebrow slightly, dropping the knowledge of who he was to see what Casske would do. Makkani scowls even more. "It was all I could afford on hand. I told the clerk to bill GA-GS, as they're responsible for the loss of my old clothes. And it's Makkani. Prefereably, Makkani, o lord of the universe." Makkani smirks a bit. "Can I get a drink, Lith~y? Whiskey perchance?" He sits down in the stool next to Casske, not noticing him. Xeero just grimaces as Makkani enters as he says, "Hey Makkani..." Casske continues to stare at Makkani. "You're... Makkani...?" Casske says, a blank look of confusion on his face. Lithia rolls her eyes, gritting her teeth. "That's LordESS of the universe to you, Makki." she wanders about, getting the whiski before giving it to him. She just sits down again, watching quietly. Makkani chuckles a bit. "Hiya Xeero. Hiya... guy in the bar." He waves dismissively to Casske without looking at him. He takes a sip of the whiskey. "Ah, thanks LordESS of the universe. By the by, you're getting much quicker at serving drinks. Nice work." Makkani smiles a bit, that being a sincere statement, rather than a sarcastic one. Xeero 's about got his face planted on the bar now as he says to Makkani, his voice muffled, "Makkani, I think you should take a look at the guy next to you, you mught be surprised," Casske blinks. "Whoa... you shamelessly attempt to attract some sort of affection or even attention from any girl you meet. Just like me." Casske looks to Lithia. "But in your case, it's a bit more shameless, isn't it? How old are you, anyway? 50? Too old for a soldier." Casske takes a gulp of his tropical drink. Lithia sighs lightly, rolling her eyes a little. "...gee, thanks...I'm better at a job I hate...and, maybe you should listen to Xeero...you might just see something of interest..." she wanders to the other side, washing glasses. Makkani 's eyes go blank a bit at this. He's had a long day, and been in a sewer, and on psychotropics... he was in a damn -foul- mood. Lithia had cheered him up a bit, but this kinda put him off. He whirls around, and grabs Casske by his collar. "And just who the hell are you, eh?!" Makkani stops as he locks eyes with the man in front of him. "You... wait..." Makkani forcefully opens Casske's mouth, and peers inside. Xeero looks at Makkani and Casske from the corner of his eye and comments in that still muffled voice, "Well there's a Kodak moment," Casske makes a rather stifled, shocked sound. "Wha tha hellh?" Casske grunts, without the use of his tounge. He fidgets a bit, as Makkani closes his mouth unceremoniously. He looks into Makkani's eyes. "Well? What are you a dentist? I was hoping for some sort of hello, or maybe even an 'I'm happy to see you.' Silly me, huh?" Casske takes another very long gulp of tropical drink. Lithia blinks, just staring at the two of them with a wide-eyed expression. "Are you satisfied, Dr. Sonan?" she speaks sarcastically, wondering what he intends to do, now that he's right next to his son. Makkani sighs. "I was getting to that. Well, seems I've finally found you, after all this time..." Makkani sort of trails off, not sure what to say. He's wasn't exactly good with words to begin with. "You are indeed my son. Your wolf-like back teeth indicate that. Not to mention the blue hair..." Makkani once again trails off. "Um, I'm... err, happy to see you... I... ummm..." Makkani trails off again. "I um, love you, I guess..." Makkani scratches his head a bit, in a manner which doesn't exactly scream confidence. Xeero is silent as he prys his fac eoff the bar, before he leaves a lasting impression. Casske takes another drink, and stares a bit. "Oh, really. Whatever." Casske states. He takes another drink. Anybody who knows Casske and how much he's longed for a family would be shcoked at such behavior. "I can't remember anything about you. I don't -know- you. You expect me to instantly be your loving son, eh?" Lithia smiles a little as she watches them, but quickly forces a frown to her face and continues to wash the glasses in front of her. Though, the frown becomes more easily set as she hears Casskes side of it. But, it was none of her bussiness, and so quietly continues washing glass. Makkani 's expression becomes odd. Not his normal stony expression, or fierce scowl upon insult. It seemed genuinely morose. "Well... I just thought, I mean... I haven't seen you in 14 years... I just... thought that you'd be happy to see me, as well." Makkani lowers his gaze a bit, no longer looking into his son's eyes. Xeero looks over to Casske, about ready to let him have it, but he falls silent for now Casske chuckles. "You thought wrong. I don't -know- you. I've never -known- you. I am Casske Klassa. Your son is Rackl Sonan. Rackl Sonan isn't me, and I'm not him. I know nothing of him, nor him me. You want a son? To bad. You had your chance, he died when he was twelve. And as for me... it'll be -my- fifteenth birthday next month." Casske's face lacks any expression. Lithia frowns, stepping towards them. "...he's had a few Aquavy tropicals, Makkani...perhaps now isn't a good time to speak with him." she glances coldly at Casske, her tone significantly lowered. "...watch it, before you say something you may later regret..." Makkani seems frozen. His entire body quivers a bit before he grabs his drink and soundly consumes the whole thing in one gulp. He leans back a bit. "Well... that's okay..." Makkani chuckles a bit, but it was obvious it was a bit strained, judging from the quiver in his voice. " Noo... p... problem..." Makkani leans against the bar. He's been on his own for a very long time. He;d grown used to putting up with things. But this wasn't what he'd expected. Despite everything his ego was screaming, he was powerless as a tear escaped his eye. Xeero gives Casske a look that just about screams, 'if you say one more wrong phrase I'm gonna rip you a new one' Casske sighs as he catches a glint of light from his father's tear. He give Xeero a sort of disdainful look, and Lithia... well, he hadn't gotten off on the right foot with her anyways. "My my. That certianly is inspiring. I can tell you're the cold, stoic fighter everyone says you are. You certianly like to put on a show, don't you Makkani?" Lithia steps up to Casske, again resuming her arrogant stature, a hard and steely look in her eyes as she grabs the collar of his shirt, dragging him dangerously closer. "...you're a fool, and nothing more. A child in a mans body who can not be mature enough to handle such a situation. You don't understand what this man has done just to find out where you may or may not be. So quick to judge...you're a fool, and nothing more..." she growls at him, releasing her grip on his collar and moving back a few steps, her stare not even wavering. Makkani 's gaze is aimed downward at the floor. He curses himself silently, unable to control himself as tear after tear falls and hits the floor. He reaches over the counter and grabs a glass. He fills it with water, and quickly drinks it. Xeero sighs sotly as he sldies to his feet he begins to quietly head to the door, he had some things to take care of. Casske nods, not even the slightest bit worried about Lithia. "Of course I am. Maybe you didn't hear me. I turn fifteen next month." Casske tilts back a bit, and finishes off his drink. He slides it to the other side of the counter. "And as for faucet eyes here, I must say I was expecting more of Rackl's father." Lithia glares at him, placing her hand on the handle of the gun at her hip. "...shut your mouth, boy, or leave..." everything about her at the moment simply shouts her seriousness. Makkani 's hand slowly makes it's way to his dagger. He slowly pulls it out. He sighs, his finger running over the elegant S design on the blade. He suddenly squeezes it, causing blood to ooze from his fist. He'd never felt such rejection in all his life. When his love died, he was furious and sad, but not like this. He winces a bit as the blood splishes on the floor, mixed with the tears. "Relentless..." he breathes softly. Casske chuckles. "Or else what? You'll shoot me? Kill a teenager? They'll lock you away forever. A Lieutenant teenager, no less. Impressive, eh? Anyhow, I should stick around. You might need some help cleaning up all that blood." He nods toward the floor beneath Makkani casually. Lithia frowns, stepping out from behind the bar. "...Makkani, put the dagger down..." she just glares are Casske, her expression reading, rather bluntly, as '...I'll kill you in a minute.' Makkani sighs weakly as he wipes the dagger off on his horrid looking poncho, and slips it back into place. He grimaces as his eyes lay on his wound. With a swift turn, Makkani turns toward the door. Noise can be heard outside; a trickling. One of the late winter rains. Makkani doesn't seem to care though, as he continues to head for the door, no goodbye or farewell. Casske 's eyes simply follow Makkani as he goes. "Be careful, 's raining pretty hard out. If those tears made you cut your hand, you'll probably cleave it right off out there." Casske says, a dark smirk on his face. Lithia frowns, not bothering to head after the man. She figures for now, it would be best to leave him alone. Casske, however, is now on her list of people she doesn't like, and likely never will. "...you, are in a /lot/ of trouble now..." she sneers through gritted teeth, moving towards him. Makkani walks out the door into the rain. After the door closes, a weak sounding curse can be heard. Footsteps can also be heard, as Makkani goes around the back alley of the bar to sleep, under the slight cover it provides. Casske sighs. "Oh really? I fear you eternally. The last barkeep here was a real badass." Casske states. "I'm going to sleep. Do -not- disturb." Casske simply walks up into the above room quietly.