Private Finished Suds and stories

"It has landed you in a pub with someone willing to pay for your drinks because you were persistent enough to not leave her alone."
Hah'en stated with a hint of a smile. What she had just described was basically the definition of a friend for her, at least that was how she had obtained most of her friends. Hah'en rarely befriended someone out of her own incentive.

"They do say to never steal from a dragon."
Hah'en said, and then paused to think. Had she told Adryan she was a dragon? No, she hadn't. The alcohol was already sinking in slightly, the first stage was lessening of filter. Hah'en decided to watch her words more carefully from now on. Revealing her species wasn't that serious, Adryan would've found it out eventually. But Hah'en didn't want to end up saying something she'd regret.

Adryan seemed to be very adamant about that term, judging from his words and tone. "Friend". Hah'en did already consider them to be friends, but it sounded like Adryan wanted her to admit it out loud. He didn't even comment on Hah'en accidentally revealing her species.

"And that is what we are doing. Two friends, 'hanging out', as the phrase goes."
Hah'en said, giving Adryan the confirmation he needed. Hah'en let out a small huff and finished her drink, setting glass down with a quiet thump.
"I am not acting like this is nothing, rather I appreciate you accepting my offer. I have not drank with anyone in a long time."

"I do not brood nor am I dark."
Hah'en said slightly defensively and maybe even with a slight hint of a pout (if you squinted hard), which was yet another sign of the alcohol making her relax.
"I admit I prefer solitude, but even I require social interaction. It is only natural."
Hah'en had just enough time to voice her answer before Adryan closed his eyes and launched into a brief dialogue with the demon inside him. She considered commenting, but Adryan's tone suggested this was a bit different from the usual casual back and forth between them to she refrained.

"No need to apologize, I have already grown accustomed to it."
Hah'en assured, and fished an ice cube from her glass which she started to idly crunch on. She liked ingesting the ice and then the lime slice at the very end, waste not want not. Besides, ice had never been a part of alcoholic drinks back in Hah'en's dimension so she was fascinated by these small pieces of frozen water.

Hah'en wasn't really familiar with how Adryan used the word "extra" in his sentence, and she frowned slightly.
"What does 'being extra' entail?"
she asked, not really ashamed that she didn't know. English could be quite challenging. The way Adryan had said his words, like a parent scolding a child, had almost made Hah'en amused but her confusion had won over it.

"Yes, I was going to request that. I would like to have a bloody mary next."
This drink was a bit stronger, but not by a lot and Hah'en had a craving for it. She liked how the drink was spicy and had unconventional flavours for an alcoholic beverage.

"That is a very appropriate way to describe it, then. I shall make a note of it."
Hah'en remarked and fished another ice from the glass into her mouth to crunch. She made a brief notion that the crunch reminded her of the times when she had still lived in the wild and hunted and ate animals. The way the bones had crunched between her teeth was kind of like ice crunching between her teeth now.

Hah'en waved Adryan off, and idly followed him as he made his way to the bar. He didn't get very far before a female waitress stopped him. Hah'en always wondered what exactly it was about Adryan that drew females to him. His looks were good, yes, but this was an island full of very attractive people. Was it the roguish charm? His general attractive demeanour? Hah'en couldn't quite pinpoint it. She didn't and would never be able to understand how people could like a person just based on their appearance or first impression. Hah'en needed so much more information before she could actually grow to like a person. Especially a charismatic yet infuriating person like Adryan, with brown hair that reflected light beautifully and hazel eyes that reminded Hah'en of the evergreen forests of her youth.
...The alcohol was really doing a number on Hah'en, wasn't it?

Hah'en was slightly distracted with mentally berating herself when Adryan came back, and her eyes focused on the man when he sat back down on his seat.
"Thank you."
Hah'en thanked automatically and did brief cheers and the shoulder pat ritual before taking a sip from her drink. Out of the corner of her eye Hah'en could see another person taking the mic on the small stage to the side, it was an open mic night and for now people had mostly focused on stories. Hah'en, in her slightly loosened up mind, had an idea.
"You mentioned wishing to share stories a while back. Why not share them with the rest of the clientele as well? There is an open mic tonight, as you might have observed."