Bloody Shirt & Booze

Sad. Suppose it is. Cazimir had never witnessed alcoholism like Bastian had, it was different in a wolf pack. The downfall of one could hurt all, so the whole pack helped pick up the ones that had fallen and couldn't get up on their own. Pack members were all family to each other, it was a family that alcohol couldn't tear apart. Cazimir didn't alcoholism as sad, more like...inconvenient, unfortunate, an obstacle to overcome. But he didn't voice any of that, it was too personal, and merely nodded.

Bastian was an interesting fellow, Cazimir thought himself lucky to have gained such drinking buddy for tonight.
"If you want free drinks I can pay for yours, consider it a sign of gratitude."
Cazimir suggested, though he expected Bastian to decline. He seemed that kind of man.
"Besides, soda isn't that expensive here."
Cazimir said and glanced at Bastian's glass, small smile on his face.

Perhaps Cazimir had pressured Bastian to return all the compliments he had given earlier, or at least Cazimir suspected as much when the man assumed Cazimir was good at math. Which he was, naturally.
"It's a living, and math is straightforward and simple, I enjoy it."

Cazimir listened intently when Bastian explained about his work, unexpectedly without that much reserve. Well, Cazimir was interested in hearing about it, so that was only a good thing.
"I imagine you need to study a lot to know about different species to be able to do that job."
Cazimir said, more as a statement than an actual question, and drank half of his glass. He tried to go bit slower, to savour the taste and this conversation.
"My cousin is going through culinary studies part-time as well. What do you major in?"

As Cazimir had expected, Bastian refused. Cazimir could've insisted, and was confident that in the end he would win, but let it go and nodded as an answer. He more than understood the need not to be in debt to anyone, not financially or otherwise. And on this island it was dangerous to receive favours.

"Don't apologize. I said I needed a drink, not that you needed to drink with me. Bars aren't just for drinking, they are where you can find good company, food and conversation. To my mind alcohol is just a bonus."
Cazimir said and lifted his glass with a small smile, emptying the rest to his mouth. Cazimir poured his last glass, but didn't drink from it just yet.
"And it's good to know when and where to set limits, and no one in here will judge you for doing so."
Cazimir appreciated, if not respected, people that could keep their wits about them and had good self-control. Cazimir noticed he started liking Bastian more and more.

Medicine. Cazimir had suspected as so, so he wasn't surprised.
"I wish you luck in your studies. Medicine is a demanding profession, I hope you will succeed."
Cazimir, unexpectedly, meant what he said. A man like Bastian, that was ready to put his own wellbeing in danger to help a stranger, deserved to be a good doctor.

4 glasses of vodka, especially flavoured vodka, weren't enough to even make Cazimir take one wrong step. His liver was stronger than steel and he had been drinking alcohol since he was 16. Cazimir could drink almost anyone under the table, and when you saw him drunk you needed to savour it because it happened more rarely than an eclipse.

Bastian seemed to be on the socially bit awkward side, so Cazimir paid no mind if the man repeated himself or did anything else strange. And Cazimir could relate, if he acted like his true self he'd be awkward as well.
"The island does important work, offering opportunities to those who wouldn't have them in the Narrow reality."
Cazimir was talking as much about himself as well, since there was something on the island he could only do there and never in the Narrow reality.

Cazimir emptied half of his last glass, planning to empty it all the way since the conversation was slowing down. But he stopped mid-sip when Bastian asked him a question, and on some level Cazimir was glad he could keep talking to the man.
"Not for long, this establishment is new and I was transferred here from a branch in India. Before that I was in Canada. I'm usually the one they send to help get things started."
And he was sent to places where the mafia members needed reminding exactly who was their alpha, and Cazmir was there to refresh their memory.
"And how about you? How long have you studied here?"

"Tough? No, I wouldn't say so. The corporation I work for, VFI, has many of my family members working within it, I see them often despite traveling a lot."
Before Cazimir hadn't travelled as much, the alpha had wanted to keep him close in case he was planning to betray him. Which Cazimir was. But soon the alpha had noticed Cazimir was much too skilled of an accountant and business advisor to keep in the home base, and thus he had been thrown out into the world.
"And I avoid forming connections in the places I go to. It's best for me, and anyone I would form a bond with."
Cazimir's brow frowned just a slightly, although he made it disappear quickly. Why had he said that last part? It was unnecessary information for Bastian to know, much too personal. But something in the man made Cazimir want to open up more than he usually did.

2, 3 years. So Bastian had been here for a decently long time.
"You must be familiar with the island then, especially if you work as an EMT. That must take you around the island, although not for long periods of time."